[Surgical therapy of short bowel syndrome]

Advances in medical and surgical technique and the development of home parenteral nutrition have led to an increasing number of patients with short-bowel syndrome. Many patients could benefit from definite surgical therapy as long-term parenteral nutrition besides being expensive frequently causes severe complications. Various techniques to prolongate intestinal transit and increase the absorptive area of the remaining small bowel have been experimentally developed and some have been successfully employed in humans. The recent discovery of new potent immunosuppressive agents has initiated clinical endeavours at intestinal transplantation. The various techniques for the surgical therapy of short-bowel syndrome with their indications and potential risks are reviewed.