AIM:To evaluate the effects of bowel rehabilitation andcombined trophic therapy on intestinal adaptation in shortbowel patients.METHODS:Thirty-eight patients with severe short-bowelsyndrome (SBS) were employed in the present study,whoseaverage length of jejunum-ileum was 35.8±21.2 cm.TheTPN treatment was initiated early to attain positive nitrogenbalance and prevent severe weight loss.The TPN compositionwas designated to be individualized and altered whennecessary.Enteral feeding was given as soon as possibleafter resection and increased gradually.Meals weredistributed throughout the day.Eight patients receivedtreatment of growth hormone (0.14 mg/kg.day) andglutamine (0.3 g/kg.day) for 3 weeks.D-xylose test,~(15)N-Glytrace test and ~(13)C-palmitic acid breath test were done todetermine the patients’ absorption capability.RESULTS:Thirty-three patients maintained well bodyweight and serum albumin concentration.The average timeof follow-up for 33 survival patients was 5.9±4.3 years.Twenty-two patients weaned from TPN with an average TPNtime of 9.5±6.6 months.Two patients,whose whole smallbowel,ascending and transverse colon were resectedreceived home TPN.An other 9 patients received parenteralor enteral nutritional support partly as well as oral diet.Threeweek rhGH+GLN therapy increased nutrients absorption butthe effects were transient.CONCLUSION:By rehabilitation therapy,most short bowelpatients could wean from parenteral nutrition.Dietarymanipulation is an integral part of the treatment of SBS.Treatment with growth hormone and glutamine may increasenutrients absorption but the effects are not sustained beyondthe treatment period. AIM: To evaluate the effects of bowel rehabilitation and combined trophic therapy on intestinal adaptation in shortbowel patients. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients with severe short-bowels syndrome (SBS) were employed in the present study, whoseaverage length of jejunum-ileum was 35.8 ± 21.2 The TPN treatment was initiated early to attain positive nitrogen balance and prevent severe weight loss. The TPN composition was designated to be individualized and stranded when necessary. Enteral feeding was given as soon as possible after resection and increased gradually. Meals weredistributed throughout the day. Light patients received treatment of growth hormone (0.14 mg / kg.day) andglutamine (0.3 g / kg.day) for 3 weeks.D-xylose test, ~ (15) N-Glytrace test and ~ (13) C-palmitic acid breath test were done todetermine the patients’ absorption capability .RESULTS: Thirty-three patients maintained well bodyweight and serum albumin concentration.The average timeof follow-up for 33 survival patients was 5.9 ± 4.3 years.Twen ty-two patients weaned from TPN with an average TPNtime of 9.5 ± 6.6 months. Two patients, whose whole small bowel, ascending and transverse colon were resectedreceived home TPN.An other 9 patients received parenteral supplements enteral nutrition support partly as well as oral diet.Threeweek rhGH + GLN therapy increased nutrients absorption but the effects were transient. CONCLUSION: By rehabilitation therapy, most short bowel patients could wean from parenteral nutrition. Dietary manipulation is an integral part of the treatment of SBS. Treatment with growth hormone and glutamine may increase nutrientsutrition but the effects are not through beyond the treatment period.