INTESTINAL FAILURE
Intestinal failure is where the intestine is shorter than normal and fails to absorb sufficient nutrients to maintain the body’s nutritional needs.
It often results from multiple previous bowel resections, and typically occurs when there is less than 200mm of small intestine remaining.
Management of intestinal failure
Because of severe malnutrition and electrolyte/fluid losses, intravenous fluids and nutritional support is usually needed in the form of total parenteral nutrition (TPN).