GUT FAILURE IN PEDIATRIC AND ADULT PATIENTS - CANDIDATES FOR SMALL-BOWEL TRANSPLANTATION IN SOUTHERN FINLAND

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.