Intestinal Failure and Rehabilitation.

The rendering of proper care for the patient with intestinal failure requires the provider to have a functional understanding of digestion and absorption, nutrient requirements, and intestinal adaptation. Inherent in those concepts is that not only is nutritional absorption compromised, but medication absorption is as well. The principles of the management of home parenteral nutrition must be mastered and then proper and controlled weaning of parenteral nutrition may be commenced by use of dietary and pharmacologic means with appropriate clinical outcome measures followed. This complicated management requires a team experienced in both medical and surgical management of intestinal failure.