Intestinal Transplant Conditions We Treat

Children who suffer from permanent intestinal failure due to short bowel syndrome, congenital abnormalities of the intestine, or life-threatening complications may need an intestinal transplant. If severe, irreversible liver disease is also present, the child may be a candidate for combined small intestine-liver transplantation performed in conjunction with the Pediatric Liver Transplant Program.

The conditions we treat that may require intestinal transplantation include:

• Short bowel syndrome due to 
  • Volvulus
  • Gastroschisis
  • Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)
  • Hirschsprung’s disease (also know as aganglionosis)
  • Injury (trauma)
• Congenital intestinal atresia
• Poor intestinal absorption
• Intestinal tumors
  • Gardner’s disease (intestinal polyposis)
  • Desmoid tumors

The decision to proceed with intestinal transplantation is made only after careful evaluation determines that the surgery is the child’s most promising treatment option.