A Narrative Review of Intestinal Failure, Parenteral Nutrition, Rehabilitation and Transplantation of the Intestine in Iran

In this narrative review we aimed to evaluate the status of intestinal failure, parenteral nutrition, intestinal rehabilitation and transplantation in Iran.All published articles related to intestinal failure, home and hospital-based parenteral nutrition, reconstructive surgery of the gastrointestinal system and intestinal transplantation in Iran were reviewed. We reported on the epidemiology and pathophysiology of intestinal failure, the importance of home parenteral nutrition, management of home parenteral nutrition for patients with intestinal failure, appropriate treatment steps regarding intestinal rehabilitation for short bowel syndrome and radiation enteritis and finally we reported on the condition of intestinal transplantation in Iran.Considering that in Iran we have not yet established home parenteral nutrition services, patients require long hospitalizations to receive parenteral nutrition which is associated with high costs for the health care system, decreases in quality of life of patients, and more importantly exposes patients to hospital related infections and as a result many of these patients die after acquiring infections despite receiving high dose antibiotics. Considering the lack of home parenteral nutrition in our country as the first treatment line, by establishing intestinal rehabilitation units in large hospitals and by providing services including parenteral nutrition, intestinal reconstruction and transplantation we will be able to prevent many deaths due to intestinal failure and decrease the need for intestinal transplantations.