Gastrointestinal transplantation: An update.

Gastrointestinal transplantation is a life-saving option for patients who have chronic intestinal failure and cannot tolerate total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Early referral is important because of the scarcity of donors and the increased risk of complications in debilitated recipients. One-year patient survival rates range from 50% to 70%. Despite the use of intense immune suppression, most patients experience at least 1 episode of graft rejection. More than 80% of the survivors are able to stop TPN and resume an unrestricted oral diet. Patients with functioning grafts have a good quality of life.