The short bowel is defined by the extended resection of the small intestine, leaving a maximum of 100 cm of healthy organ beyond the ligament of Treitz, with or without preservation of the colon. Nutritional management must be quick in order to optimize adaptation of the remaining intestine, therefore avoiding intestinal insufficiency. Consequent nutrition support such as long term enteral or parental nutrition is some times indispensable. Home enteral nutrition is relatively comfortable. Home parental nutrition somewhat complex, necessitates the creation of a strong home support group. This article addresses practitioners unfamiliar with clinical nutrition, directly faced with problems due to the short bowel in hospital (short and mean term phases) and in home settings (mean and long term phases).