Short bowel syndrome

Short bowel syndrome has significant morbidity and is potentially lethal especially when intestinal loss is extensive. The pathophysiology of short bowel syndrome, its aetiology, prognosis and our understanding of the mechanisms of adaptation are reviewed. Management by a multi-disciplinary nutritional care team is advocated and should be directed to the maintenance of growth and development, the promotion of intestinal adaptation, the prevention of complications and the establishment of enteral nutrition. The choice of enteral feed, the role of drugs and the use of pro-adaptive nutrients and agents are discussed. Complications including cholestasis and catheter related sepsis are outlined with strategies to reduce them. Finally the roles of secondary surgical interventions including transplantation are discussed.