Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2019 Dec;48(4):585-605.doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2019.08.011. Epub 2019 Oct 4.

Mark L Kovler ¹, David J Hackam ²

Author information

• ¹Division of Pediatric Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins Children's Center, 1800 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
• ²Pediatrics and Cell Biology, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Children's Center, The Charlotte R. Bloomberg Children's Center, Johns Hopkins University, Suite 7323, 1800 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. Electronic address: Dhackam1@jhmi.edu.

Abstract

Intestinal failure is defined as the inability to maintain fluid, nutrition, energy, and micronutrient balance that leads to the inability to gain or maintain weight, resulting in malnutrition and dehydration. Causes of intestinal failure include short bowel syndrome (ie, the physical loss of intestinal surface area and severe intestinal dysmotility). For patients with intestinal failure who fail to achieve enteral autonomy through intestinal rehabilitation programs, the current treatment options are expensive and associated with severe complications. Therefore, the need persists for next-generation therapies, including cell-based therapy, to increase intestinal regeneration, and development of the tissue-engineered small intestine.