Retracing our STEPs: Four decades of progress in intestinal lengthening procedures for short bowel syndrome.

The surgical management of intestinal failure secondary to short bowel syndrome has undergone tremendous evolution in the last several decades. From the landmark description of an intestinal lengthening procedure by Bianchi in 1980 to the multidisciplinary modern care paradigm known as intestinal rehabilitation, innovative new treatments in this field have vastly improved patient outcomes. Initial attempts to treat short bowel syndrome surgically saw the birth of reversed intestinal segments, artificial valves and colonic transposition, all aimed at decreasing transit time and thus increasing absorption. In the long term, a common pitfall of these approaches, and intestinal adaptation itself, is bowel dilation and the associated poor motility, dysfunction and propensity for bacterial overgrowth. The development of techniques to mitigate these unfavorable conditions was a prelude to the birth of modern day operations aimed at increasing bowel length and improving function. This review examines the relevant historical approaches to short bowel syndrome and how they provided the foundation for the development of current intestinal lengthening surgery, followed by an in-depth discussion of surgical techniques and their outcomes.

Redefining short bowel syndrome in the 21st century.

In 1968, Wilmore and Dudrick reported an infant sustained by parenteral nutrition (PN) providing a potential for survival for children with significant intestinal resections. Increasing usage of TPN over time led to some patients developing Intestinal Failure Associated Liver Disease (IFALD), a leading cause of death and indication for liver/intestinal transplant. Over time, multidisciplinary teams called Intestinal Rehabilitation Programs (IRPs) began providing meticulous and innovative management. Usage of alternative lipid emulsions and lipid minimization strategies have resulted in the decline of IFALD and an increase in long-term and transplant-free survival, even in the setting of ultrashort bowel (< 20 cm). Autologous bowel reconstructive surgeries, such as the serial tapering enteroplasty procedure, have increased the likelihood of achieving enteral autonomy. Since 2007, the number of pediatric intestinal transplants performed has sharply declined and likely attributed to the newer innovations healthcare. Recent data support the need for changes in the listing criteria for intestinal transplantation given the overall improvement in outcomes. Over the last 50 y, the diagnosis of short bowel syndrome has changed from a death sentence to one of hope with a vast improvement of quality of life and survival.

Intestinal failure: A new era in clinical management.

Only 50 years ago intestinal failure was considered incompatible with life. Since then, developments in parenteral nutrition, and, more recently, small intestinal transplantation, have provided new therapeutic options with the potential to offer long-term survival with a good quality of life. Current medical and surgical strategies are aimed at enhancing intestinal adaptation, improving absorption to achieve nutritional independence, and minimizing the complications of parenteral nutrition therapy. An integrated, multidisciplinary approach to the management of patients with intestinal failure, closely linked to a transplantation program to facilitate early referral, is recognized as a key factor in optimizing patient outcomes.

Advances in the nontransplant medical and surgical management of intestinal failure.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Although intestinal transplantation is uniquely suited for the treatment of patients with intestinal failure suffering from life-threatening complications, patient survival at 5 years remains suboptimal at approximately 50-60%. RECENT FINDINGS: The introduction of effective medications to improve intestinal absorption, alternate intravenous lipid preparations that may reduce cholestasis and a technically easier nontransplant intestinal lengthening procedure have largely changed the available options for nontransplant interventions. Multidisciplinary teams created to manage the complexities of this population have shown improved outcomes and the ability to prevent or slow progression of life-threatening complications that would otherwise lead to intestinal transplantation in a large number of patients with short bowel syndrome. SUMMARY: Here, we review the historical options, recent advances and cutting-edge research that will likely provide the basis for further advances in the treatment of patients with short bowel syndrome as the cause of their intestinal failure.

Jonathan E Rhoads lecture: experiences and observations in the management of patients with short bowel syndrome.

In an era before parenteral nutrition (PN) was made practical by Stanley Dudrick, MD, and his colleagues, patients with prolonged intestinal dysfunction or short bowel syndrome would often die of malnutrition or its sequelae. Over the past 4 decades, the treatment of patients with short bowel syndrome had progressed from PN in the hospital to small bowel transplantation. Multimodal therapies have evolved in the management of these patients, including specialized diets and enteral supplements, oral rehydration fluids, antisecretory medication, and the use of growth factors. Home PN is lifesaving when these modalities are ineffective and a surgical procedure to restore or enhance gastrointestinal tract length or absorptive potential is impossible. Small intestine transplantation had been used to salvage those patients who developed life-threatening complications of home PN, but as the survival after intestinal transplant has approached that of liver transplantation, it may soon be considered as primary therapy for patients with short bowel syndrome. This article presents the author's experiences and observations after a 4-decade experience in the management of patients with short bowel syndrome.