title: Autologous gastrointestinal reconstructive surgery: complement or alternative to intestinal transplantation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Autologous intestinal reconstructive surgery has evolved over the past 3 decades from rescue to main surgical procedure in the multidisciplinary approach to short bowel syndrome (SBS) patients with intestinal failure. The purpose of this review is to clarify the actual place of intestinal reconstructive surgical techniques in the management of intestinal failure related to SBS and their relationship with intestinal transplantation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recent reports from centers of excellence in intestinal rehabilitation underline the efficacy and safety of autologous intestinal reconstructive surgery in patients with SBS. Outcome parameters as survival, parenteral nutrition weaning, and clinical conditions were improved in SBS patients treated by gastrointestinal reconstructive surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Autologous intestinal reconstructive procedures are pivotal to achieve enteral autonomy in patients with intestinal failure related to SBS. They should be considered mutually supportive and not antagonistic to intestinal transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Surgery Unit, Medical and Surgical Neonatal Department Bambino Gesù Children's Research Hospital, Rome, Italy. fabio.fusaro@opbg.net
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fusaro
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hermans
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reding
mesh_terms: D000529:Complementary Therapies; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000637:transplantation*; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012778:Short Bowel Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*