Abdominal multivisceral transplantation

Transplantation. 1995 Jan 27;59(2):234-40. doi: 10.1097/00007890-199501270-00015.

Abstract

Under FK506-based immunosuppression, 13 abdominal multivisceral transplantations were performed in 6 children and 7 adults. Of the 13 recipients, 7 (53.8%) are alive and well with functioning grafts after 9 to 31 months. Six recipients died: three from PTLD, one from rejection, one from sepsis, and one from respiratory failure. In addition to rejection, postoperative complications occurring in more than isolated cases included PTLD (n = 6), abdominal abscess formation (n = 5), pancreatitis (n = 3), and ampullary dysfunction (n = 2). In addition, infection by enteric microorganisms was common during the early postoperative period. Currently, all 7 survivors are on an oral diet and have normal liver function. Two recipients (one insulin-dependent) require antidiabetes treatment, in one case following distal pancreatectomy and in the other after two episodes of pancreatic rejection. Thus, abdominal multivisceral transplantation is a difficult but feasible operation that demands complex and prolonged posttransplantation management. It is not yet ready for application and awaits a better strategy of immune modulation.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Digestive System Surgical Procedures*
  • Graft Rejection / complications
  • Graft Rejection / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Intestines / transplantation*
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / etiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Survival Analysis
  • Tacrolimus / therapeutic use
  • Viscera / transplantation*

Substances

  • Tacrolimus