Intestinal Rehabilitation Centre |

Integrated intestinal rehabilitation at King’s College Hospital Dubai

At King’s College Hospital London in Dubai, our Integrated Intestinal Rehabilitation Center (KIIRC) provides highly specialized care for children and adults living with complex intestinal disorders, including intestinal failure and short bowel syndrome.

Our team brings together expert gastroenterologists, colorectal and pediatric surgeons, specialist dietitians, intestinal failure nurses, and allied health professionals to help you optimize intestinal function, reduce complications, and improve quality of life.

Integrated intestinal rehabilitation combines medical, nutritional, and surgical approaches into one coordinated program, so you receive a personalized plan that focuses on the whole person rather than a single intervention.

What does King’s Integrated Intestinal Rehabilitation Center do?

An intestinal rehabilitation center is designed for people whose intestines are not working properly due to disease, surgery, or congenital conditions. At KIIRC, we focus on:

• Diagnosing and managing intestinal failure
• Reducing dependence on parenteral (IV) nutrition
• Preventing or managing complications from gastrointestinal surgery
• Planning reconstructive abdominal surgery
• Supporting long-term nutrition, growth, and development
• Helping patients and families manage complex intestinal conditions confidently

When should you see the intestinal rehabilitation team?

You may benefit from seeing our team at KIIRC if you or your child has:

• Short bowel syndrome (short gut syndrome)
• Intestinal failure requiring long-term parenteral nutrition
• Complications after gastrointestinal or abdominal surgery
• Difficulty absorbing nutrients or unexplained weight loss
• Frequent admissions for dehydration or line infections
• Complex abdominal or intestinal problems needing coordinated care

You should also request a specialist review if:

• Your care is split across different clinics, and you need one integrated plan
• You are being considered for reconstructive abdominal surgery
• Your current treatment is not controlling symptoms such as severe diarrhea, vomiting, pain, or malnutrition

What conditions do we treat?

We manage a full spectrum of intestinal disorders, including:

• Intestinal failure
• Short bowel syndrome
• Congenital intestinal conditions in children
• Malabsorption syndromes
• Complications following gastrointestinal surgery

What services do we offer?

• Comprehensive clinical assessment
• Advanced intestinal diagnostics
• Parenteral and enteral nutrition support
• Individualized medical treatment
• Reconstructive abdominal and intestinal surgery
• Line care, infection prevention, and complication management
• Patient, paren,t and caregiver education
• Long-term multidisciplinary follow-up

What should you expect at KIIRC?

1. Referral and initial review: Your case is reviewed by the KIIRC team to determine urgency and the most appropriate clinic pathway.
2. Comprehensive clinic assessment: You will meet gastroenterology, surgical, dietetic, and nursing specialists for a full evaluation.
3. Diagnostic testing: This may include blood tests, imaging, endoscopy or nutrition assessments.
4. Personalized treatment plan: Your plan may include medical treatment, tailored nutrition, lifestyle adjustments and, when appropriate, surgical planning.
5. Hospital admission if needed
   Some patients require short admissions for optimization of parenteral nutrition or reconstructive abdominal surgery. Your consultant will explain every step clearly.
6. Ongoing rehabilitation and follow-up
   We monitor your progress closely, make adjustments, and provide long-term support to reduce complications and improve quality of life.

Who are the best doctors for intestinal rehabilitation in Dubai?

The best doctor for intestinal rehabilitation in Dubai is Dr Lisa Sharkey, Consultant Gastroenterologist and intestinal failure specialist at King’s College Hospital Dubai. She leads the intestinal rehabilitation program and has extensive international experience, including 7 years at Cambridge University Hospital.

She works alongside Mr Atif Alvi, Consultant Colorectal and General Surgeon, and Dr Basem A. Khalil, Professor of Pediatric Surgery, to provide fully coordinated medical, nutritional, and surgical care.

Why choose King’s College Hospital Dubai for intestinal rehabilitation?

• Integrated medical, surgical, and nutrition care
• Team trained at world-leading UK hospitals
• Evidence-based treatment pathways
• Advanced diagnostics and surgical capabilities
• Strong emphasis on patient and family education
• Long-term follow-up to minimize complications
• State-of-the-art facilities across Dubai Hills and Dubai Marina

How can you get referred or book an appointment?

For referrals, healthcare professionals can email referrals to intestinalrehabreferral@kch.ae, and patients can contact King’s College Hospital Dubai to book directly with the KIIRC team.

Our call center will guide you to the appropriate consultant based on your symptoms and medical history.