Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a rare disease, and its incidence and prevalence are difficult to determine, most reports being based on retrospective analysis of parenteral nutrition usage (SBS is the most common indication for home parenteral nutrition). The two most frequent causes of SBS are mesenteric ischemia and Crohn’s disease. The outcome of patients with SBS is determined both by the primary disease and by the consequences of malabsorption secondary to bowel resection.