An analysis of the long-term complications of intestine transplant recipients

One-year survival rates for intestine transplant recipients have increased to 70%, but it is believed that the complications following the procedure do not diminish after the first year as is seen in other forms of solid-organ transplantation.

To review the ongoing medical requirements of an increasing number of long-term survivors of intestinal transplantation.

A retrospective medical chart review was completed on all patients who received intestinal transplantation at the University of Nebraska Medical Center from September 1990 through March 2003. One hundred forty-six transplantations were performed on 128 patients-53 intestinal, 70 liver/intestinal, and 23 intestinal with liver and pancreas or kidney.

Seventy-six patients survived longer than 365 days and form the study group. Major reasons for readmissions were infections, gastrointestinal complications, dehydration, and rejection. The average number of rehospitalizations per patient per year remained constant. Death in patients with more than 365 days survival (N=23) was the result of sepsis (56%) and multiple other complications (44%).

The number of readmissions each year per patient remains constant and medical problems remain complex and life threatening. Patients with intestinal transplantation will continue to require regular expert follow-up care and careful attention to even the smallest medical problem even years following transplantation.