title: Spectrum of intestinal failure in a specialised unit.
abstract: 300 consecutive admissions over 7 years to a purpose-built intestinal failure unit are reviewed. The commonest underlying condition was Crohn's disease (42%), and the commonest complication precipitating admission was intestinal fistula (42%). Total parenteral nutrition was used in 85% and surgery in 50%. A multidisciplinary approach to management gave a high success rate--90% of patients were discharged from hospital, although nearly 25% needed home parental nutrition. These results suggest that chronic intestinal failure should be managed in specialised units in the same manner as other types of organ failure.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Surgery, Hope Hospital, Salford, UK.
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Leinhardt
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: O'Hanrahan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Finnegan
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Shaffer
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Irving
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007422:Intestines / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods