Early Experience with Serial Transverse Enteroplasty in a Korean Intestinal Rehabilitation Team

Purpose: For patients with short bowel syndrome, surgery can play an important role in the management of intestinal failure (IF). Serial transverse enteroplasty (STEP) has become a popular choice of bowel lengthening among surgeons for its safety and effectiveness in improving enteral autonomy. In this study, we report 5 cases of STEP procedure on 4 patients. Materials and Methods: In the Intestinal Rehabilitation Team at Samsung Medical Center, all patients were managed by a multidisciplinary team specialized in the care of intestinal failure patients. Retrospective review of medical records was performed. Results: 3 patients were children and 1 patient was an adult. Improvement in enteral autonomy was achieved in all patients following each STEP procedure. Suspected suture line leakage was seen in one patient, which was successfully managed by conservative treatment There were no other serious complications related to the procedures. Conclusion: STEP procedure continues to be an important management option in intestinal rehabilitation of patients with extreme short bowel. We report a small series of STEP performed safely and effectively in Korea. (Surg Metab Nutr 2018;9:11-15)