[Transplantation of the small intestine--current status and possibilities for the future]

The transplantation of small intestine is still an experimental therapy. In men, small intestinal transplantation has not yet been successful. Although the technical problems of small intestinal transplantation and monitoring of the grafts have been resolved in animal experiments and a transplantation model has been prepared, survival time of the grafts has been insufficient so far. The introduction of Cyclosporin A as immunosuppressive drug may lead to a dramatic change in the attitude towards small intestinal transplantation. Preliminary results in experimental studies in dogs and piglets with long-term survival of recipients and grafts are very encouraging.