ABSTRACT
References ..............................................................................................................245
Intestinal failure refers to a patient’s inability to maintain life with enteral intake. Short bowel syndrome (SBS), often used synonymously, refers to a malabsorptive state that results from functional and/or anatomic deciencies of the small intestine. SBS is broadly dichotomous: Congenital anatomic disorders predominate in infancy, whereas intestinal disease and mechanical loss are the major causes of SBS in adults. During intestinal rehabilitation, parenteral uid, electrolytes, and nutrients are required to sustain life. In the case of anatomic SBS, the small intestine has the ability to morphologically change (i.e., undergo adaptation) to improve function; in addition, surgical options exist for lengthening the intestine in infants.
