Present status and future perspectives of intestinal transplantation.
Intestinal transplantation (ITx) is the only definitive therapy for irreversible intestinal failure. Owing to the limited short- and long-term graft survival over the years, ITx has been a complementary treatment to home parenteral nutrition. However, the development of intestinal and multivisceral transplantation has been significant over the past 15-20 years owing to the progress in immunosuppressive therapy, refinement of surgical techniques, post-transplant care, intestinal immunology, and immunological as well as anti-infectious monitoring. The improvement of patient- and graft survival over the last few years together with data on the cost effectiveness of ITx, following 2 years after transplantation, may require a redefinition of the indication for ITx.
Pascher
Andreas
A
Department of Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Universitaetsmedizin Berlin - Charité, Berlin, Germany. andreas.pascher@charite.de
Kohler
Sven
S
Neuhaus
Peter
P
Pratschke
Johann
J
D000818:Animals; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000209:etiology; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007422:Intestines / Q000637:transplantation*; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D011788:Quality of Life