Intestinal Failure

We specialize in helping you rehabilitate your or your child's intestine when the small bowel fails to ingest, digest, or absorb nutrients, water and electrolytes, an ailment called intestinal failure.

Our team of specialists have experience treating patients with the rarest cases of intestinal failure from around the world.  Together, with patients and caregivers at the forefront, we strive to improve the quality of life and long-term survival of patients of all ages.   

Types of Intestinal Failure we treat:

Structural Intestinal failure - often called short-bowel syndrome (SBS). Often caused due to surgery to remedy:

• Gastroschisis
• Intestinal Atresia
• Mid-gut Volvulus / Bowel Malrotation
• Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)
• Omphalocele
• Trauma to the Abdomen
• Crohn's Disease
• Superior Mesenteric Thrombosis
• Tumors
• Enterocutaneous Fistula

Functional intestinal failure - caused by the intestine's inability to absorb or digest food or fluids. In this case length isn't the problem, just that the intestine isn't working right, typically because of:

• Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-obstruction (CIPS)
• Hirschsprung's Disease
• Intestinal Dysmotility
• Total Colonic Aganglionosis
• Radiation Enteritis

Why choose Nebraska Medicine

Intestinal failure patients and their families often arrive at Nebraska Medicine prepared for the worst.  Our team focuses on listening to the patient, understanding their complete medical history and aims to offer hope and opportunity for families, care givers, and patients of all ages.