Long-term outcomes of living-related small intestinal transplantation in children: A single-center experience.

Abstract

Pediatric patients with irreversible intestinal failure present a significant challenge to meet the nutritional needs that promote growth. From 2002 to 2013, 13 living-related small intestinal transplantations were performed in 10 children, with a median age of 18months. Grafts included isolated living-related intestinal transplantation (n=7), and living-related liver and small intestine (n=6). The immunosuppression protocol consisted of induction with thymoglobulin and maintenance therapy with tacrolimus and steroids. Seven of 10 children are currently alive with a functioning graft and good quality of life. Six of the seven children who are alive have a follow-up longer than 10years. The average time to initiation of oral diet was 32days (range, 13-202days). The median day for ileostomy takedown was 77 (range, 18-224days). Seven children are on an oral diet, and one of them is on supplements at night through a g-tube. We observed an improvement in growth during the first 3years post-transplant and progressive weight gain throughout the first year post-transplantation. Growth catch-up and weight gain plateaued after these time periods. We concluded that living donor intestinal transplantation potentially offers a feasible, alternative strategy for long-term treatment of irreversible intestinal failure in children.