Sixteen Consecutive Adult Intestinal Transplantation: A Single-Center Clinical Experience in China

(Background/Aims: The aim of the paper is to describe a single-center experience of adult small intestine transplantation (ITx). Methodology: 15 ITx and 1 combined liver and ITx(L/ITx) had performed. The immunosuppressive regimen was based on induction therapy with two different protocols: In Period I (pre-2006, n=10), daclizumab or without for induction, high dose tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and steroids as maintenance therapy; In Period II (post-2006, n=6), alemtuzumab for induction and low dose tacrolimus as maintenance anti-rejection treatment unless required for, steroids were not routinely used. Results: In Period I, 9 ITx and 1 L/ITx were performed. One patient survived more than 1-year with normal bowel function and 1 recipient survived more than 4 years with partial PN. Seven patients died within one year. The main cause of Surgical death was sepsis. In period II, 4 patients have a normal patients are on partial PN. The main cause of death was rejection. Conclusion: The survival of intestinal transplantation has greatly improved over time as management strategies evolved. However, certain unresolved issues still requires future investigation include new strategies to prevent late complications and the causes.