Successful treatment of trauma-induced short bowel syndrome with early living related bowel transplantation.
BACKGROUND
: Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is a life-saving therapy for patients with short bowel syndrome. However, TPN is associated with a high incidence of serious complications, poor quality of life, and elevated cost. An attempt was made to avoid TPN-related complications associated with trauma-induced short bowel syndrome by using early living related donor bowel transplantation.


METHODS
: Three men 27 to 30 years of age with trauma-induced short bowel syndrome received early living related donor bowel transplantation using segmental ileal grafts.


RESULTS
: All the donors had an uncomplicated postoperative course. After a mean follow-up period of 40 months, all three recipients were alive and well, and did not require any TPN support. The ileal graft adapted perfectly to support fully the nutritional needs of young, active individuals.


CONCLUSIONS
: Early living related donor bowel transplantation is a successful treatment for trauma-induced short bowel syndrome. It is associated with a lower incidence of complications, better quality of life, and lower cost than long-term TPN.
University of Illinois at Chicago, Division of Transplantation, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA. enrico@uic.edu
Enrico
E
Benedetti
Giuliano
G
Testa
Howard
H
Sankary
Pierpaolo
P
Sileri
Diego
D
Bogetti
Tomasz
T
Jarzembowski
Herand
H
Abcarian
D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D020139:Gastroschisis / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007082:Ileum / Q000637:transplantation*; D019520:Living Donors; D008297:Male; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total; D012778:Short Bowel Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome