Intestine Transplant

Intestine is a segment of the digestive tract extends from stomach to the anus. It has two parts small intestine and large intestine which has further sub-divided parts. In the whole body anatomy intestine is one of the most important parts. Intestine transplant means replacement of a diseased intestine with a healthy one donated from another person.

Who needs an intestine transplant ?

Children or adults with intestinal failure require an intestine transplant surgery. Children may require intestinal transplant for several reasons like :

Short Bowel Syndromes like :

• Gastroschisis
• Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)
• Volvulus
• Aganglionosis/ Hirschsprung’s Disease
• Intestinal Atresia

Other conditions like :

• Pseudo-Obstruction
• Microvillus Inclusion
• Malabsorption
• Tumor

An intestinal transplant is also done to children or adults who suffer from intestinal failure from total parenteral nutrition (TPN), an intravenous nutrition supply system through a catheter or needle inserted into a vein in the arm, groin, neck or chest. Long-term TPN can also result in complications like bone disorders, catheter-related infections and liver failure.

Tests of the Patient :

Before intestinal transplant, the medical teams examine the physical health of the patient which is called evaluation process. A person has to do a thorough medical examination like Upper gastrointestinal and small bowel X-ray series, Barium enema, Endoscopy, Abdominal CT scan, Motility studies, EKG and echocardiography, Ultrasound of the circulatory system, Blood tests for liver function, electrolytes, kidney function and antibodies to certain viruses, etc.

Evaluation of the Transplant :

Intestine transplant is a complex medical procedure done by expert transplant specialists. The surgery of intestine transplant takes 12 hours. It may be three types such as- single intestinal transplant, combined liver intestine transplant, multi-visceral transplant. However the type of intestine transplant depends on the cause of the intestinal failure and results of the medical examination.

In intestine transplant, the blood vessels of the patient are connected to the donor's blood vessels to establish a blood supply to the transplanted intestine. Then to the gastrointestinal tract the donor's intestine is connected.

Recovery from the Surgery :

Unlike the transplant, the recovery also differs to each patient which overall depends on the medical history, type of transplant and medical condition at the time of their transplant. The recovery may take several weeks or months. Immediately after the transplant, the patient is monitored in an intensive care unit (ICU). During the post surgery period, the patient is constantly monitored through frequent blood draws, biopsies of the transplanted intestine through the ileostomy and radiologic testing. Post surgery monitoring is important like in any other organ transplant surgery. One can withdraw the total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and slowly can start the oral diet.

Organ transplantation surgery in India is updated now with all modern infrastructure and transplant specialist. One can take intestine transplant surgery in India with the help of our medical team. Our team offers this surgery at an affordable price along with free consultation by the experts as well as treatments with no waiting periods. Medical treatments in India is now easily accessible.