Intestinal Rehabilitation

Helping you wean off IV and tube feeding support

We have treated patients suffering from short bowel syndrome and intestinal failure for over 25 years. These patients are unable to ingest, digest, or absorb nutrients, water and electrolytes, via their own gastrointestinal tract. Adults and children with this condition are dependent upon intravenous support from total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Because of this, you may be at risk for blood infections from central venous catheters, dehydration, malnutrition, altered growth and development, organ failure and TPN-associated liver disease.  

We offer a comprehensive program with medical and surgical options targeted to optimize intestinal function. Our goal is for all patients to wean off IV and tube feeding support while taking 100% of their nutrition and hydration by mouth. However, in cases where this is not possible, our program offers long-term management for those dependent upon TPN.

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What to expect

Many patients and their families arrive at Nebraska Medicine prepared for the worst. They often come from places where their doctors have never seen another patient with a condition like theirs. We offer hope because helping patients with intestinal failure is what we do. Our team will complete the necessary testing, explore available treatment options, and move forward. We encourage our patients to expect the best. We provide the best care possible, and we will work to get you home and living life again.

Specialists on our team have expertise in hepatology, gastroenterology, psychology, child life and surgery for both adult and pediatric patients. Our doctors are not afraid to get down on the floor and play with their pediatric patients, treating them like the children they are. Everyone on our team, from specially trained nurse coordinators, social workers and dieticians to pharmacologists, patient financial counselors and volunteers, works towards the same outcome.

Why choose Nebraska Medicine

We provide the most comprehensive outpatient and follow-up care in the country, helping our outcomes and survival rates exceed national averages. Our intestinal failure team provides patients and their families with extensive support and education throughout their life’s journey, and after they return home.

Intestinal failure and short bowel syndrome are chronic life-long conditions, which require ongoing management by a specialized team. Our program is one of only a few programs in the world that offers medical and surgical management of these conditions throughout the lifetime of a patient. We manage both pediatric and adult patients with a transitional program for our adolescent population.