Background Teduglutide, a semisynthetic analogue of glucagon‐like peptide‐2 (sGLP‐2), increases intestinal absorption of fluids and nutrients, reducing the need for parenteral nutrition (PN). This report aims to describe our experience with sGLP‐2 in a cohort of adult patients with short‐bowel syndrome. Methods This is a prospective observational study on adult patients initially evaluated in our specialized intestinal rehabilitation program that received sGLP‐2 from June 2014 to March 2020. Results Autologous gastrointestinal reconstruction surgery (AGIRS) was performed in 108 patients; 68.5% (74 of 108) achieved intestinal sufficiency with standard medical therapy. Seventeen patients were treated with sGLP‐2; 66.5% (8 of 12) received treatment for a mean time of 25.8 weeks (3.4–54.0) and could suspend PN. One patient reinitiated treatment due to renal lithiasis and acute renal failure. Currently, 7 of 12 patients (53.8%) continue without PN for a mean time of 165.6 weeks. Volume, energy, and days of PN were reduced in all patients. No serious adverse events were registered. Four of 7 patients (57.1%) who discontinued PN could also discontinue sGLP‐2. Therefore, the use of sGLP‐2 increased the overall success rate of PN independency after AGIRS to 76% (82 of 108). Conclusion This study confirmed that sGLP‐2 should be considered as part of the standard therapy for postsurgical medical rehabilitation treatment in patients with chronic intestinal failure. We add to the current knowledge that some patients can discontinue both PN and sGLP‐2 in the long term, achieving complete recovery of their quality of life.

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Purpose of review Intestinal transplantation (ITx) is the last therapeutic option in chronic intestinal failure (CIF) patients who develop life-threatening complication related to home parenteral nutrition (HPN). Improvement of quality of life (QoL) has been proposed as one of the nonconventional indications for ITx in these patients. This review aims to summarize the current evidence about QoL assessment in ITx recipients. Recent findings Several studies were conducted to determine QoL in ITx patients, with differences in the samples and instruments used to assess it. Patients evaluated for ITx had lower QoL than those on HPN without complications. QoL seems to improve in most psychological, emotional and social areas after a successful ITx, a trend that seems to increase over time. These results would support the rehabilitative role of ITx for patients with irreversible CIF and impossibility to continue receiving HPN. Summary Although QoL after ITx patients improved over time compared with life on HPN, the heterogeneity in the samples included in several studies, and the lack of validated assessment tools, hinder the possibility to draw conclusions about improvement of QoL after ITx.

Purpose of reviewIntestinal failure (IF) evolved from being the last recognized organ failure, to become one of the most progressive fields in terms of therapeutic alternatives and results. Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is the main cause of IF in adults and children. The use of surgery allowed patients with unfavorable anatomy type and length to be wean off parenteral nutrition. We aim to evaluate its current impact on intestinal rehabilitation.Recent findingsAutologous gastro-intestinal reconstructive surgery (AGIRS), including bowel lengthening contributes by converting patient's anatomy to a more favorable one, improving quality of life, and modifying the natural history of the disease, allowing to recover intestinal autonomy in approximately 70% of the adults and 50% of the children's with SBS-IF. The current use of postsurgical medical rehabilitation strategies including the use of enterohormones complement the path to sufficiency, increasing the chances of success in both age group of patients.SummaryThe development of AGIRS has changed the outcome of SBS-IF patients, becoming the main surgical procedure prescribed in multidisciplinary units, allowing to enhance the number of patients achieving intestinal autonomy throughout rehabilitation, leaving transplantation as the last surgical alternative.

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