Abstract/Summary

Background: Falls are common and can be multifactorial. Settings: An older man presented with a fall and an unremarkable past medical history including a right extended hemicolectomy for a caecal carcinoma and a left hip replacement. Results: Clinically he had a marked peripheral neuropathy and low serum cobalamin. Conclusion: The removal of the terminal ilium may remove the site of uptake of vitamin B₁₂ even in the presence of intrinsic factor. Therefore, older patients in whom curative surgery for colonic carcinoma has been undertaken should be monitored for B₁₂ deficiency five years following surgery and until death. B₁₂ may be replaced in the usual fashion in such individuals