Training in Congenital Abnormatilities and Short-Bowel Syndrome

All trainees will acquire basic knowledge of the development of the gastrointestinal tract, including the embryologic origins, normal histology, vascular supply of the gastrointestinal tract, the complex process of intestinal rotation and fixation, ontogeny; the location of gastrointestinal absorptive and secretory functions and the intestinal adaptive response to surgical resection.

At the end of their training the trainees will be able to:

• Understand the preoperative and postoperative management of patients with anatomical abnormalities including tracheoesophageal fistula; omphalocele; gastroschisis; volvulus; duodenal, jejunal, and ileal atresia; and Hirschsprung disease
• Understand the radiologic manifestations of these conditions and the available surgical options
• Develop a collaborative relationship with the radiologists, surgeons, and transplantation centers in treating these patients
• Understand how to provide the nutritional and electrolyte requirements of patients with short-bowel syndrome
• Understand the role of surgical options and bowel transplantation in the management of short-bowel syndrome
• Understand the pathophysiology, symptoms, diagnostic evaluation, and management of congenital intestinal epithelial abnormalities such as microvillus atrophy, congenital chloride diarrhea, abetalipoproteinemia, and other abnormalities that alter gastrointestinal absorption.