Everything you need to know about small intestine transplant

Did you know that a large number of people require intestinal transplants The intestines may fail to sufficiently process and absorb food thus failing to meet the bodys nutritional needs This condition is known as intestinal failureDr Gaurav Chaubal Director of Liver Pancreas Intestine Transplant Program and HPB Surgery Global Hospitals Parel sheds light on the importance of small intestine transplantsA surgical procedure the small bowel transplant involves transferring small intestines from a living or deceased donor to a recipient This transplant might be necessary for individuals with certain congenital conditions In children these conditions include necrotising enterocolitis malabsorption syndromes and motility disordersOn the other hand adults might need this procedure due to mesenteric ischemia volvulus or invasive mesenteric tumours These patients typically experience malnutrition and progressive weight loss To manage these symptoms they often need artificial nutrition which is costly and can lead to severe complications such as potentially fatal infectionsTypes of intestinal transplantFor patients suffering from intestinal failure the preferred method of treatment is an intestinal transplant This involves the surgical removal of the unhealthy section of the small intestine and replacing it with a healthy one from a donor In cases where the disease is confined only to the small intestine without any liver failure this procedure can be a vital lifeline for patients whose condition has become critical due to irreversible intestinal failureOn the other hand when both liver and intestines fail combined liver and intestine transplantation is performed Here both diseased organs are surgically removed and replaced with healthy ones from a donor The primary reason for liver failure in these instances is complications arising from intravenous nutrition or TPN Without undergoing transplantation patients suffering from both intestinal and liver failures while continuing on TPN are generally expected to survive between 6 to 12 monthsWhen two or more internal abdominal organs including the intestines are failing a multivisceral transplantation is carried out The procedure might involve transplanting organs such as the stomach duodenum pancreas intestine and liver This intricate operation can be lifesaving for individuals suffering from combined abdominal organ failure due to diseases like Gardners syndrome familial colorectal polyposis a precancerous colorectal disorder and intestinal pseudoobstruction a reduced capacity of the intestines to move food alongThe recuperation period posttransplant typically spans two to three weeks Following the transplant patients can resume normal life activities and dietary habits A successful outcome is achieved in seventyfive per cent of patients who can eventually stop relying on artificial nutritionTypes of tests done before the transplantBlood group and HLA typingLaboratory tests Automated blood count CBC hepatic and renal function tests coagulation profileSerologic tests CMV EBV HIV as well as hepatitis A B and CRadiographic evaluation of the entire gastrointestinal tract to determine actual bowel length and function transit timeDuplex Doppler sonography of the intraabdominal vascular system abdominal aorta superior mesenteric artery portal vein superior mesenteric vein Conventional angiography is not routinely done and is only required for selected patientsLiver biopsy only for patients with clinical evidence for total parenteral nutritioninduced liver dysfunction to assess the need for a simultaneous liver transplantAssessment for the presence of infectious foci including dental and ENT consultsAdditional organ systemspecific investigations as dictated by pathology results of the aforementioned evaluation process eg coronary angiography pulmonary function tests creatinine clearanceScreening before transplantation is a process that both donors and recipients must go through The purpose of this screening is to confirm the organs suitability for transplantation by ensuring it is healthy Additionally it checks if the recipient has any medical issues that would prevent them from undergoing a transplantThe transplant procedureThe transplantation of the small intestine can occur independently or in conjunction with other organs such as the liver stomach or pancreas This surgical process can be quite intricate The procedure involves a surgeon extracting the unhealthy portion of the recipients small intestine and substituting it with a healthy segment from a donor The blood vessels of both parties are then interconnected and the donors intestinal piece is linked to the recipients digestive systemA section of the transplanted intestine is attached to an ileostomy which is an opening leading from the abdominal wall to the skin This allows for the assessment of transplant functionality and the detection of potential issues Over time this opening may typically be sealed up As long as this ileostomy exists bodily waste is expelled through it into a pouchDisclaimer This information does not replace professional medical advice Consult a qualified specialist or your physician for personalised guidance