Diagnosis and treatment of acute rejection in the first case of human living-related small bowel transplantation with a long-term survival in China

AIM: To report the comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of acute rejection in the first case of living-related small bowel transplantation with a long-term survival in China. METHODS: A 18-year-old boy with short gut syndrome underwent living-related small bowel transplantation, with the graft taken from his father (44-year old). A segment of 150-cm distal small bowel was resected from the donor. The ileo-colic artery and vein from the donor were anastomosed to the infrarenal aorta and vena cava of the recipient respectively. The intestinal continuity was restored with an end-to-end anastomosis between the recipient jejunum and donor ileum, and the distal end was fistulized. FK506, MMF and prednisone were initially used for post-transplant immunosuppression. Endoscopic observation and mucosal biopsies of the graft were carried out through the terminal ileum enterostomy; serum was collected to detect the levels of IL-2R, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-8. The change of the graft secretion and absorption was observed. RESULTS: Acute rejection was diagnosed promptly and cured. The patient was in good health, 5 years after living-related small bowel transplantation. CONCLUSION: The correct diagnosis and treatment of acute rejection are the key to the long-term survival after living-related small bowel transplantation.