Intestinal tapering and lengthening for short bowel syndrome.

Intestinal tapering and lengthening were performed in a child with short bowel syndrome to prevent the need for home parenteral nutrition. The intestinal lengthening was not successful, presumably because the vascular anatomy was not favorable. Significant clinical improvement and avoidance of home parenteral nutrition resulted from the tapering procedure. These procedures have a role in the treatment of selected patients with short bowel syndrome.