Ileostomy of the distal end of the bypassed intestine in a patient with jejunoileal bypass for obesity.

Ileostomy of the distal end of the bypassed segment of small intestine was done twenty-three months after a 28 to 20 cm (12 to 8 inch) end-to-end jejunoileal bypass for obesity (Scott operation) in a forty-eight year old white female, thus creating a Thiry fistula. Weight prior to jejunoileal bypass was 130 kg (287 pounds). Before ileostomy it had stabilized at 80.3 kg (177 pounds). Indications for ileostomy were three episodes of blind loop syndrome and three episodes of severe bleeding from the ileotransverse colostomy anastomotic site. Culture of the bypassed segment at laparotomy revealed bacteroides, clostridia, and other anaerobes as well as the usual aerobic large bowel flora. After ileostomy the bypassed segment contained no anaerobic bacteria. Daily fluid output from the ileostomy has decreased with time, averaging 436 ml per day for the first postileostomy month and 50 ml per day for the ninth month. Beneficial effects of the ileostomy include: (1) better sense of well being; (2) no further episodes of blind loop syndrome or intestinal bleeding; and (3) cessation of anal itching. Nine months after ileostomy, hyperoxaluria and acquired megacolon were present. Weight was 5.9 kg (13 pounds) greater than before ileostomy.