Intestinal transplant is a rare surgery that allows people with intestinal failure to regain the ability to eat regular food and live a more normal life.
The procedure has been making rapid advances over the past decade, and UPMC has one of the world's leading centers for intestinal transplant and rehabilitation.
We will evaluate anyone who comes to our center to see if they may be an intestinal transplant candidate.
Intestinal transplant is a life-saving treatment for people who no longer tolerate TPN.
Surgeons at UPMC are pioneers in the field of solid-organ transplants. We routinely accept some of the most complex cases.
When possible, we will work with you to find a medical solution before recommending you as an intestinal transplant candidate. Intestinal rehabilitation cures about 70 percent of people referred to us.
Intestinal transplant has survival outcomes similar to other organ transplants, but it does carry a higher risk of infection and rejection.
People who are not eligible for intestinal transplant include those with:
Regardless of your prognosis or the severity of your disease, you will receive superb care at the UPMC Gastrointestinal Rehabilitation and Transplant Program.
Most people who receive this transplant have short gut syndrome or have had benign or malignant tumors.
Short gut syndrome — also called short bowel syndrome — is a condition where part of the small intestine is missing. People with short gut syndrome cannot properly absorb nutrients.
People with short gut syndrome have symptoms such as diarrhea or have trouble passing food through the digestive tract. Eventually, they are no longer able to eat solid food and end up on total parenteral nutrition (TPN).
TPN requires long spells at home or in the hospital attached to an IV line.
Complications of TPN can include infection, clots, or liver cirrhosis. In these cases, an intestinal transplant may be the best treatment.
Health problems that can lead to short gut syndrome or intestinal failure include:
