Successful management of the short bowel syndrome

Intestinal failure manifests as diarrhoea, fluid and electrolyte imbalance and malabsorption caused due to surgical resection of small intestine or very rarely due to nonfunctioning of large segment of bowel. Management of short bowel syndrome is quite challenging which requires better understanding of the site and extent of resected segment, pathophysiology of the remaining segment and the time of adaptation. Initial management includes control of diarrhoea with adequate fluid and electrolyte management which is critical for stabilization of the patient. Multidisciplinary approach to the patient is needed.