M. Pakarinen et al., GUT FAILURE IN PEDIATRIC AND ADULT PATIENTS - CANDIDATES FOR SMALL-BOWEL TRANSPLANTATION IN SOUTHERN FINLAND, Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology, 30(8), 1995, pp. 764-770
Background: This study investigated the need for small-bowel transplan
tation (SBT) in southern Finland. In addition, we evaluated the effect
of colon resection on the time required for intestinal adaptation in
patients with gut failure. Methods: Mortality, morbidity, intestinal a
daptation time, and surgical management were evaluated retrospectively
in 24 patients (12 adults and 12 children) with jejunoileal exclusion
. Of the 24 patients 19 had undergone accompanying colon resection. Re
sults: Intestinal adaptation had occurred in 12 of 18 survivors (67%).
Two unadapted survivors were considered to be currently suitable cand
idates for SBT. The length of the remaining colon was inversely correl
ated (correlation coefficient r = -0.789; p < 0.0001) with the duratio
n of intestinal adaptation. Conclusions: Each year one to two patients
per 1.27 million people could benefit from SBT in southern Finland. T
he length of the remaining colon is a major determinant of the duratio
n of intestinal adaptation in patients with massive jejunoileal resect
ion.