Hernia enlargement and pancreatitis in a patient with short bowel syndrome treated with teduglutide

Introduction: teduglutide (TED) is indicated for the treatment of patients with short-bowel syndrome (SBS) who are dependent on parenteral support. Case report: we report the case of a 60-year-old woman with SBS treated with TED. She had previously undergone multiple surgical resections due to Crohn's disease. Her remnant bowel included only the duodenum and 50-60 centimeters of jejunum. The patient was dependent on intravenous fluids (2,320 mL/48 h) and had a high stoma output (3,000 mL/day). After four months of TED the jejunostomy output had decreased to 2,200 mL/day with a thicker consistency, and intravenous fluid therapy was reduced to 2,010 mL/48 h. TED was withdrawn due to acute pancreatitis and enlargement of two supraumbilical hernias with high strangulation risk. Discussion: pancreatitis has been reported in clinical studies, and determination of amylase and lipase is recommended in all patients receiving TED. In contrast, there are no recommendations for the surveillance of hernia enlargement in patients on TED therapy, but we suggest the need for surveillance based on this case report.