Late graft loss and long-term outcome after isolated intestinal transplantation in children

Background/Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine causes of late graft loss and long-term outcome after isolated intestinal transplantation in children at a single center. Methods: All children who underwent primary isolated intestinal transplantation at our center with a minimum follow-up of 1 year were the subject of this retrospective study. Results: Twenty-eight children underwent primary isolated intestinal transplantation. Median graft survival was 705 days (range, 0 to 2, 630 days) and median patient survival was 1, 006 days (range, 0 to 2, 630 days). There were 6 deaths and 15 graft losses (including the 6 nonsurvivors). Seven of the losses occurred 6 or more months after transplant. Of these, 2 losses occurred because of death of the recipients of sepsis; both recipients had functioning grafts. The 5 remaining late graft losses occurred because of acute rejection in 2 patients, chronic rejection in 2 (1 with concomitant acute rejection) and a diffuse stricturing process without the histologic hallmarks of chronic rejection in the fifth. All late survivors with intact grafts are off total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Conclusions: Late graft loss remains a concern in a small percentage of patients after isolated intestinal transplantation. Nutritional autonomy from TPN is possible in the majority of these children after transplantation.