Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of growth factors on intestinal compensation after massive intestinal resection， and understand the progress of growth factors in nutrition support treatment for short bowel syndrome （SBS）. Method The related literatures about the application and effect of growth factors in the patients with SBS were reviewed. Results Different kinds of growth factors had different effects on intestinal adaptation after massive intestinal resection. The application of growth factors according to the specific circumstances of the patients with SBS could shorten the residual small intestine compensatory time and improve the nutrition status of the patient with SBS. Conclusions Growth factors play important role in promoting the intestinal adaptation after resection. Different kinds of growth factors have their effects and it’s helpful for getting rid of the total parenteral nutrition early. However， much work still remains to be done.