Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026
Orthotopic Small Bowel Transplantation in Rats
Published on: November 6, 2012
Living related segmental bowel transplantation: from experimental to standardized procedure
Enrico Benedetti1, Mark Holterman, Massimo Asolati
1Division of Transplantation, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. Enrico@uic.edu
Insights
Living donor bowel transplantation offers a viable alternative for intestinal failure, with survival rates improving over time. This procedure demonstrates promising outcomes for patients requiring intestinal transplants.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Innovation
- Transplantation Medicine
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Living donor bowel transplantation is an emerging alternative to deceased donor transplants.
- This study details a single-center's experience with this procedure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the outcomes of living donor bowel transplantation.
- To assess patient and graft survival rates.
- To report on complications and recovery in living donors.
Main Methods:
- 12 living donor intestinal transplants were performed between April 1998 and October 2004.
- Immunosuppression involved thymoglobulin induction and tacrolimus maintenance.
- Graft size varied based on recipient age (pediatric vs. adult).
Main Results:
- All donors recovered without complications.
- Overall 1- and 3-year patient survival was 82% (75% graft survival).
- Improved outcomes observed in later transplants (100% patient, 88% graft survival).
Conclusions:
- Living donor bowel transplantation is a valuable strategy for irreversible intestinal failure.
- Outcomes have improved with increased surgical team experience.
Introduction:
Living donor bowel transplantation has recently emerged as a valuable alternative to cadaver bowel transplant. We herein present our single-center experience with this procedure.
Materials And Methods:
From April 1998 to October 2004, 12 living donor intestinal transplants were performed in 11 patients (7 males, 4 females; average age, 26 years). Four of the patients were children under 5 years. A segment of distal ileum 150 to 180 cm long in pediatric recipients and 200 cm long in adult was used. The immunosuppressive protocol consisted of induction with thymoglobulin and maintenance with tacrolimus with or without mycophenolate mofetil and steroids.
Results:
All donors recovered well and did not experience any early or late complications. The overall 1- and 3-year patient survival was 82% with a graft survival of 75%. In the last 8 patients, transplanted after January 2000, the 1-year patient and graft survival has been 100% and 88%, respectively. The median hospital stay was 36 days (range, 13-290 days). During the first year after transplant only, the patient who received a totally mismatched graft experienced one episode of rejection (8%). All the surviving patients are currently supported by enteral diet without fluid requirements.
Conclusions:
Living donor bowel transplantation is a valuable strategy in the treatment of irreversible intestinal failure. The results have improved over the years thanks to increased experience of the team.
