ObjectiveTo evaluate experience with isolated orthotopic liver transplantation in children with liver failure associated with short bowel syndrome (SBS). Summary Background DataInfants who have liver failure as a result of SBS are frequently referred for consideration for combined liver and small bowel transplantation. In a few patients the liver disease develops despite a seemingly adequate bowel, which if given time and appropriate management has the potential for full enteral adaptation. There is a limited literature suggesting the utility of OLT without replacement of the native bowel. The advantages over combined liver and small bowel transplantation are clear: organ availability is greater, liver-reduction techniques are well established, lower immunosuppression is required, and there is greater experience in the care of children after orthotopic liver transplantation. MethodsEleven infants, considered to have a good prospect of eventual gut adaptation to full enteral nutrition if it were not for their advanced liver disease, underwent isolated orthotopic liver transplantation. Age range was 6.5 to 17.7 months. All patients had been dependent on parenteral feeding but had also shown significant enteral tolerance at some time before listing for transplantation. Advanced liver disease was apparent both clinically and on histologic examination. All were jaundiced and had low albumin levels, and most had coagulopathy. As a group the infants had growth retardation. Estimated remaining length of small bowel beyond the ligament of Treitz was in the range of 25 to more than 100 cm. Six infants retained their ileocecal valve.

Infants with short bowel syndrome (SBS) and associated liver failure are often referred for combined liver/intestinal transplantation. We speculated that in some young children, nutritional autonomy would be possible with restoration of normal liver function. Features we believed to predict nutritional autonomy include history of at least 50% enteral tolerance, age less than 2 yr, and no underlying intestinal disease. This report documents our experience with liver transplantation alone in children with liver failure associated with SBS. Twenty-three children with SBS and end-stage liver disease, considered to have good prognostic features for eventual full enteral adaptation, underwent isolated liver transplantation. Median age was 11 months (range, 6.5 to 48 months). Median pretransplant weight was 7.4 kg (range, 5.2 to 15 kg). All had growth retardation and advanced liver disease. Bowel length ranged from 25 to 100 cm. Twenty-three children underwent 28 isolated liver transplants. There were 14 whole livers and 14 partial grafts (five living donors). Seventeen patients are alive at a median follow-up of 57 months (range, 6 to 121 months). Actuarial patient and graft survival rates at 1 yr are 82% and 75% and at 5 yr are 72% and 60%, respectively. Four deaths resulted from sepsis, all within 4 months of transplantation, and 1 death resulted from progressive liver failure. Two allografts developed chronic rejection; both children were successfully retransplanted with isolated livers. Of 17 surviving patients, three require supplemental intravenous support; the remaining 14 have achieved enteral autonomy, at a median of 3 months (range, 1 to 72 months) after transplantation. Linear growth is maintained and, in many, catch-up growth is evident. Median change in z score for height is 0.57 (range, Ϫ4.47 to 2.68), and median change in z score for weight is 0.42 (range, Ϫ1.65 to 3.05). In conclusion, isolated liver transplantation in children with liver failure as a result of SBS, who have favorable prognostic features for full enteral adaptation, is feasible with satisfactory long-term survival.

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Intestinal transplantation offers hope to children with intestinal failure and life-threatening complications of parenteral nutrition (PN). As more transplant centers are adding intestinal transplantation to their existing programs, new challenges are presented to nursing professionals. This three-part series will provide information for nursing professionals regarding evaluation for intestinal transplantation, donor preparation, the surgical procedure, immediate postoperative care of the transplant recipient, complications of intestinal transplantation, and long-term care of the intestinal transplant patient. Part 1 will discuss the indications for intestinal transplantation, the evaluation of patients for intestinal transplantation, the process of listing patients for intestinal transplantation, and the waiting time for donor organs for intestinal transplantation. The information presented represents the approach taken at University of Nebraska Medical Center.