ABSTRACT
CONTEXT: Intestinal failure (IF) requires the use of parenteral nutrition as long as it persists and may be in case of persistence an indication for intestinal transplantation. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Literature search was performed both electronically and manually. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Biological evaluation of IF is becoming possible with the use of plasma citrulline as a marker of intestinal mass. Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is the leading cause of intestinal failure in infants while few epidemiological data are available to date. Data on morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients with SBS are very limited while long-term outcome seems to be improving. Other causes of intestinal failure include neuro muscular intestinal disease and congenital disease of enterocyte development. The management of IF should include therapies adapted to each type and stage of IF based on a multidisciplinary approach, in centers involving pediatric surgery, pediatric gastroenterology, parenteral nutrition expertise, home parenteral nutrition program, and liver-intestinal transplantation experience. Timing for referral of patients in specialized centers remains a crucial issue. The main causes of IF are briefly reviewed emphasizing the medico-surgical strategy for prevention and care-provision, adapted to each type and stage of IF.
Subject(s)
Biomarkers , Citrulline/blood , Digestive System Abnormalities/diagnosis , Humans , Intestinal Diseases/diagnosis , Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction/diagnosis , Intestines/transplantation , Liver Transplantation , Parenteral Nutrition , Short Bowel Syndrome/diagnosisABSTRACT
Advances in immunosuppressive treatment as well as better monitoring and control of acute rejection have brought intestinal transplantation (ITx) into the realm of standard treatment for permanent intestinal failure. The results from the intestinal Transplant International Registry (www.intestinaltransplant.org) indicate that ITx is currently an acceptable clinical modality for selected patients with permanent intestinal failure. The goal of this short review is to deal with indications, clinical results and complications of ITx. Although it has been used in humans for the past two decades, very few data are available regarding graft function and its monitoring.