The normal length of small intestine ranges from 5 to 7 meters medically speaking and it is almost impossible to survive with a less-than-1-meter small intestine. But Lu Yili, a 62-year local resident of Nanjing, has survived for 13 years with his 24-centimeter-long small intestine.
It was a sunny afternoon on May 31, 2000 when 49-year old Lu was taking a nap in his office. Suddenly, he twisted up with a sudden stab of bellyache, and was sent to the Gulou Hospital by his colleagues.
The laparotomy found out the extensive necrosis of the small intestine caused by intestinal arterial thrombosis was the reason of Lu’s pain. A surgery is required to remove the necrosis of the small intestine. But it is medically impossible to survive with a less-than-1-meter small intestine. The doctors were not sure about the surgical results.
Thanks to the effort of medical team, Lu survived the surgery. But Lu’s small intestine was left with 24 centimeters and he was “intestineless”. With his tough vitality, Lu regained consciousness in the second day after the surgery and his condition stabilized in just another two days.
Lu has decided to donate his body for research after his death, hoping it can benefit patients like him in the future.