ABSTRACT
Intestinal failure (IF) is de—ned as the inability of the alimentary tract to digest or absorb nutrients to sustain normal growth and health in life [1]. Similar to children, in which necrotizing enterocolitis requiring multiple bowel resections is the leading cause for IF, 75% of cases of short bowel syndrome in adults occur from massive intestinal resection [2]. In adults, IF is most commonly associated with recurrent Crohn’s disease and accounts for ~25% of patients. Other causes include: mesenteric occlusion or injuries, radiation enteritis, midgut volvulus, and traumatic injury of the bowel [3]. In addition, motility disorders and intestinal neoplasms can also cause functional IF in adults [4] (see Table 5.1).
