Abstract

The management of children with intestinal failure is a rewarding but resource intensive process. There is however variability in practice and outcome for patients, despite the basic principles of care and measures of success being well defined. The importance of multidisciplinary working is paramount and there is an urgent need to obtain collaboration between paediatric surgical and medical gastroenterological colleagues and an obligation of commissioners to see that there is recognition and implementation of ideal practice as an essential element in improving the outlook for children with intestinal failure in the United Kingdom.