Intestinal transplantation: current status and future directions

Abstract

Three decades after the first intestinal transplant was performed in humans, this life-saving procedure has come of age and now offers hope of long-term survival in a small group of patients with life-threatening complications of intestinal failure and parenteral nutrition. Success rates have greatly improved, largely through advances in immunosuppression protocols, improved surgical technique and postoperative care, and accumulated experience. Management of the intestinal transplant recipient entails careful surveillance, prevention, and treatment of rejection and infection, as well as optimization of feeding and nutrition. With this approach, survival and quality of life are demonstrably improved, such that intestinal transplantation is now an established and accepted procedure for this very select group of highly-complex patients.