Intestinal failure. Review article

Abstract

Intestinal failure (FI) is defined as the decrease in intestinal function below the minimum necessary for the absorption of macronutrients and / or water and electrolytes, in such a way that intravenous supplementation (IVS) is required to maintain health and growth. From a functional point of view it is classified into three types. FI type I: acute condition, of short duration and generally self-limited, FI type II: prolonged acute state, often in metabolically unstable patients, requiring multidisciplinary care and SIV for periods of a week or months, accompanied by septic, metabolic and nutrition and FI type III: chronic condition, in metabolically stable patients, who require SIV for months or years. Its management requires nutritional therapy and in selected cases autologous reconstruction surgery.