Intestinal Rehabilitation
Restoring gut function and moving patients toward nutritional independence
Intestinal rehabilitation is a specialized, multidisciplinary approach aimed at restoring and maximizing the functional capacity of the intestines. It is designed for people with intestinal failure — when the digestive tract can no longer absorb enough fluid and nutrients to sustain life without specialized support.
This content is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your gastroenterologist or intestinal rehabilitation team.
An Intestinal Rehabilitation Program (IRP) focuses on moving patients away from permanent intravenous nutrition and toward safer oral or tube feeding.
Deliver adequate calories through Parenteral Nutrition (PN) and/or Enteral Nutrition (EN) so patients can grow and thrive.
Encourage the remaining bowel to thicken and grow taller villi, naturally increasing absorptive surface area over time.
Use targeted therapies to control diarrhea, dumping, and protect organs from long-term PN side effects.
When needed, non-transplant bowel lengthening procedures can physically maximize the path of food transit.
Gastroenterologists and neonatologists (for newborns)
Pediatric or adult GI and transplant surgeons
Specialized dietitians and clinical pharmacists who formulate daily PN
Speech, occupational, and physical therapists plus social workers and child life specialists
Specialized Intestinal Rehabilitation Programs exist across the U.S. These centers coordinate nutrition, medical therapy, and surgery under one multidisciplinary team.
Management of Care
Intestinal & Multivisceral Transplants
Complications of Short Bowel
Centers of Excellence
This content is for educational purposes only. Always consult your gastroenterologist or specialized intestinal rehabilitation team for personal medical guidance.