Abstract
<jats:p>Intestinal failure (IF) may be acquired or congenital and of gastrointestinal or systemic, benign or malignant origin. The European Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition has published guidelines on the management of acute IF, which includes information on sepsis control, fluid and electrolyte management, optimising nutritional status, wound care, surgery and rehabilitation. Nutrition screening is the same as for any patient screened to be at nutritional risk. Anthropometric assessments can include mid calfcircumference upperarm circumference, tricep skinfold thickness, mid‐arm muscle circumference, calf circumference and bioimpedance analysis. Biochemical assessment helps to assess hydration and nutritional status, as well as monitoring for signs of infection, inflammation or deranged liver function tests. Patients with a jejunocolic anastomosis have had the ileum and some jejunum resected and the remaining jejunum anastomosed to the colon. Routine monitoring requirements for all patients include anthropometry, which may be needed weekly to every three months depending on the type of IF.</jats:p>