We present the case of a 99-year-old woman who developed functional short bowel syndrome after an emergency laparotomy for mesenteric ischemia. Her initial management was palliative care because of hemodynamic instability and subsequently because of advanced age. Following 3 months of recurrent infections and 30% weight loss, her dependence on intravenous hydration and her declining quality of life led to a reassessment of treatment goals. Ultimately, she underwent successful intestinal reconstruction with a side-to-side jejuno-jejunal anastomosis after reaching 100 years of age during the preoperative period. She achieved independence from intravenous nutrition and recovered her desired quality of life. This case highlights the dynamic, multidisciplinary approach required for such patients and the need for continuous reassessment of therapeutic plans, even for frail nonagenarians or centenarians.
Silva et al. (Sun,) studied this question.