The Pathogenesis of Resection-Associated Intestinal Adaptation

After massive small-bowel resection, the remnant bowel compensates by a process termed adaptation. Adaptation is characterized by villus elongation and crypt deepening, which increases the capacity for absorption and digestion per unit length. The mechanisms/mediators of this important response are multiple. The purpose of this review is to highlight the major basic contributions in elucidating a more comprehensive understanding of this process.