Small intestine transplantation today (original) (raw)

2007, Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery

Introduction Intestinal transplantation has become a lifesaving therapy in patients with irreversible loss of intestinal function and complications of total parenteral nutrition. Discussion The patient and graft survival rates have improved over the last years, especially after the introduction of tacrolimus and rapamycin. However, intestinal transplantation is more challenging than other types of solid organ transplantation due to its large amount of immune competent cells and its colonization with microorganisms. Moreover, intestinal transplantation is still a low volume procedure with a small number of transplanted patients especially in Germany. A current matter of concern is the late referral of intestinal transplant candidates. Conclusion Thus, patients often present after onset of lifethreatening complications or advanced cholestatic liver disease. Earlier timing of referral for candidacy might result in further improvement of this technique in the near future.

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