Autologous Intestinal Reconstruction: What, When, and Why?

Post-resection short bowel syndrome, which is manifested as a severe intestinal failure, is a pressing medical and social problem due to persistent intestinal dyspepsia and progressive, sometimes life-threatening, malnutrition in these patients, leading to their early disability and long-term dependence on parenteral nutrition and maintenance infusion therapy. The introduction of modern parenteral nutrition technologies into clinical practice, which can be successfully carried out by patients self-dependently at home, has significantly changed the quality of life and ensured relatively long survival of the patients. However, parenteral nutrition can have a number of complications (catheter-associated bloodstream infection, venous thrombosis, hepatopathy, etc.), which requires a complex of therapeutic measures aimed at achieving enteral autonomy in these patients, significantly reducing or eliminating the need for intravenous support. One of the most essential areas that contributes to the achievement of enteral autonomy in this category of patients is autologous intestinal reconstruction surgery (AIRS). The aim of the review is to summarize and systematize the accumulated current information on various options for surgical treatment of patients with post-resection short bowel syndrome and intestinal failure (SBS-IF) using various surgical techniques.