William Hunter Harridge lecture: The changing face of short-gut syndrome management.

The evolution of managing short gut syndrome optimizes management and decision making of intestinal failure by way of a multidisciplinary team utilizing the latest advances in therapeutic options. Only the minority of patients referred for small bowel transplantation will actually need a transplant. Many of these patients can be rehabilitated without the need for transplant, by way of early referral, and thus the likelihood of medical therapy increases. On the other hand, in those patients with little likelihood of success with medical therapy, early referral decreases the morbidity and mortality associated with long-term total parenteral nutrition and associated complications and will improve their overall survival outcomes.