Small intestine transplantation today.
BACKGROUND
Intestinal transplantation has become a life-saving therapy in patients with irreversible loss of intestinal function and complications of total parenteral nutrition.


CONCLUSIONS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
Thus, patients often present after onset of life-threatening complications or advanced cholestatic liver disease. Earlier timing of referral for candidacy might result in further improvement of this technique in the near future.
Braun
Felix
F
Klinik für Allgemeine Chirurgie und Thoraxchirurgie, Zentrum Chirurgie, Universität Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Strasse 7, 24105 Kiel, Germany.
Broering
Dieter
D
Faendrich
Fred
F
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000379:methods; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000637:transplantation*; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000401:mortality; D011788:Quality of Life; D013997:Time Factors; D014180:Transplantation / Q000191:economics
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents