Living-related bowel transplantation to treat short bowel syndrome in a four-year-old child: a case report.
PURPOSE: Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is an extremely challenging clinical problem in children. Although many patients can be maintained for a period of time on total parenteral nutrition (TPN), many of these children suffer from the morbidity and mortality associated with sequential central line infections, venous thromboses, and TPN-induced liver failure. Intestinal transplantation often is the only chance for long-term survival. Unfortunately, many children die every year waiting for size-matched cadaveric intestine to become available. METHODS: After our success with living-related bowel transplantation in adults, the authors successfully transplanted 150 cm of maternal ileum into a 4-year-old 10-kg child with profound malnutrition from SBS and advanced TPN-induced liver failure. Because of the size mismatch, the abdominal cavity could not be closed primarily. The defect was covered with absorbable mesh and subsequently with skin graft. RESULTS: The patient is home with excellent bowel and liver function, off hyperalimentation, and on a regular diet. No rejection has been encountered. CONCLUSIONS: Living-related intestinal transplantation is a life-saving alternative to cadaveric intestinal transplantation in children with short bowel syndrome.