Since 1981, a consensus is appeared in order to define and to precise the natural evolution of short bowel with a maximal remaining small bowel of 150 cm. The phenomenon of intestinal adaptation which are better known in animals than in humans, are on the dependence of luminal, hormonal and humoral factors (epidermal growth factor, polyamines). The knowledge of prognostical factors and the anatomical and functional evaluation of remaining small bowel allow to "measure" the improvement of digestive absorption and to decide the duration of nutritional support. An experience in 80 cases of short bowel syndrome is reported. A significant correlation exists between the duration of parenteral nutrition support and the length of the remaining gut (p < 0.001) and multifactorial analysis differentiates 3 groups of short bowel characterized by their length and parenteral support duration.