Short Bowel Syndrome

Treatment

A patient may see several Mayo Clinic specialists who work together to provide the high-quality, integrated care that Mayo Clinic is known for. Generally, a gastroenterologist will serve as the "quarterback" of the team, coordinating the care and serving as the main contact for the patient. Treatment plans are tailored to the needs of each patient.

Treatment plans at Mayo Clinic focus on helping patients control their symptoms with special diets, supplements, medications, and sometimes intravenous nutrition. Some patients may require lifelong treatment.

Care providers at Mayo Clinic offer a comprehensive process to help patients determine the best way to consume and absorb the necessary nutritional content. The patient works with a dietitian to implement a high calorie diet that includes the vitamins and minerals necessary for good nutrition. Medications may also be prescribed to increase absorption rates, usually by slowing movement of digested food through the intestine. Care plans are regularly reassessed to meet the needs of patients.

Initially many patients need nutritional support, either parenteral (a tube into a vein) or enteral (a tube through the stomach wall), to stabilize their metabolic systems. Mayo has programs to train patients to deliver parenteral (TPN) or enteral nutrition at home, when necessary. Under the careful supervision of care providers, some patients may be weaned off liquid nutrition.