Biomarkers for intestinal failure in short bowel syndrome: A new era in GI rehabilitation?

Abstract

Damage control and gastrointestinal surgery have come a long way from the first reported case of an enterocutaneous fistula to advances in Intestinal transplant and vacuum assisted therapy. Everything we have known in between such as intestinal resections, enteral/parenteral nutrition, delayed abdominal wall closure and intestinal reconstruction have all lead to an exponential increase in our knowledge of gastrointestinal surgery. One area that still remains a significant challenge and clinical dilemma to the general surgeon is intestinal failure in short bowel syndrome. Not only does the anatomical complexity of short bowel syndrome offer difficulties in the definite reconstruction, but also the accompanying intestinal failure increases patient morbidity and mortality. There are no current algorithms or systematic approaches to these daunting clinical scenarios and although surgery has come a long way, there is still room for determining optimal approaches. Therefore, it is critical to keep researching new ways to treat these patients. A relatively new horizon in managing intestinal failure in short bowel syndrome is the use of biomarkers. Here we present a short review on the possible future treatment. The aim of this paper is to provide a pathway for future research into the treatment of this complex area of general surgery.