Intestinal Transplantation

Intestinal transplantation is an accepted lifesaving option to treat patients with end-stage failure of the gastrointestinal tract. Intestinal failure results from obstruction, dysmotility, surgical resection, congenital defect, or disease-associated loss of absorption and is characterized by the inability to maintain protein-energy, fluid, electrolyte, or micronutrient balance and is most commonly the result of previous extensive small bowel resections.Short gut syndrome, whether surgical or congenital, is the most common indication for intestinal transplantation .Intestinal transplantation has become an accepted therapy for individuals permanently dependent on total parenteral nutrition (TPN), with life-threatening complications. When patients develop TPN-related liver disease, lose venous access sites, or have recurrent or fungal line sepsis, their risk of mortality matches or exceeds the risk of mortality after intestinal transplantation.