Current status of living donor small bowel transplantation.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the current status of living donor intestinal transplantation (LDIT) as a treatment option for intestinal failure.


RESULTS
Long-term outcomes from LDIT and combined living donor intestinal/liver transplantation (CLDILT) are comparable with those from transplantation using deceased donors. In certain life-threatening situations, especially in pediatric patients, this strategy may offer potential advantages.


CONCLUSIONS
According United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) data children with intestinal failure affected by liver disease secondary to parenteral nutrition have the highest mortality on a waiting list compared with all candidates for solid organ transplantation. Elective nature of CLDILT offers multiple advantages for this patient population. LDIT also could be life-saving option for patients with intestinal failure who run out of venous access. Optimal timing, short ischemia time and good human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching may contribute to lower postoperative complications. Current literature suggests that living intestinal donors experience very low morbidity and high level of satisfaction.
Tzvetanov
Ivo G
IG
Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Oberholzer
Jose
J
Benedetti
Enrico
E
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000637:transplantation*; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D019520:Living Donors / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total / Q000009:adverse effects; D018579:Patient Selection; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012778:Short Bowel Syndrome / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014850:Waiting Lists