Overview
The Center for Gut Rehabilitation and Transplantation is one of the largest and most comprehensive programs in the world, and has developed a multidisciplinary approach to improve the function of the gut. The goal of the Center is to help patients return to a more normal life, using nutrition strategies, medications, and if necessary, surgery.
Our patients are evaluated, supported and treated by a world class team of medical and surgical specialists in gastrointestinal diseases, nutrition support and transplant in a comprehensive coordinated facility. Learn more about intestinal transplantation as part of the Center for Gut Rehabilitation and Transplantation.
About the Program
The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) recognizes Cleveland Clinic as a center of excellence in nutrition support. The Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute offers patients with many types of illnesses affecting the gastrointestinal system a comprehensive “one stop service” that includes diagnostic tools, medical treatment, nutrition support and surgical treatment when indicated.
An individual seeking consultation from our intestinal rehabilitation program can expect to go through a comprehensive assessment to determine the absorptive function of the gastrointestinal tract and establish if any nutritional deficiencies exist. A diet prescription can then be personalized based on the structure and function of the remaining gastrointestinal tract. Intensive diet instruction is provided to teach which foods and liquids will be most readily absorbed. Medications are also prescribed to improve digestive and absorptive function of the remaining bowel. A small number of patients have been found to have bowel out-of-circuit as a result of previous surgery. Sometimes, this can be put back into continuity with the rest of the usable bowel, so that absorptive function can be improved.
We can also assist with enhancing bowel adaptation in patients with intestinal failure in order to decrease reliance on parenteral nutrition. Additionally, these patients may be candidates for growth factors to help promote adaptation of the bowels and decrease their reliance on parenteral nutrition.
What We Treat
- Short bowel syndrome.
- Intestinal failure or severe dysfunction.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (e.g.,Crohn’s disease).
- Malabsorption syndrome.
- Intestinal disease (e.g., radiation enteritis).
- Chronic diarrhea.
- Chronic dehydration.
- Reduce or eliminate the need for IV (parenteral) nutrition or IV fluids.
- Patients struggling to maintain their weight.
Our Services
New patients can expect:
- A detailed nutrition assessment.
- Personalized diet prescription:
- Oral rehydration solutions.
- Tube feeding (enteral).
- IV feeding (parenteral).
- Nutrition counseling.
- Medication prescriptions to improve digestion and absorption.
- Some patients receive surgery and/or transplant.
If you have been referred to our Center for Gut Rehabilitation and Transplant specialty clinic please contact 216.445.2090 or toll free at 1.800.223.2273 ext 4-3046 (1.800.CCF.CARE). Hearing Impaired (TTY) Assistance is available at 216.444.0261.
