Pediatric intestine transplant cost: Analysis of the Pediatric Health Information System database.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate costs from transplant to discharge in children who had undergone intestine transplant. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional observational study of pediatric intestine transplant recipients from 2004 through 2020, utilizing the Pediatric Health Information System database. Standardized costs were applied to all charges and converted to 2021 US dollars. We analyzed the association of cost from transplant to discharge with age, sex, race and ethnicity, length of stay, insurance type, transplant year, short bowel syndrome diagnosis, liver-containing graft, hospitalization status, and immunosuppressive regimen. Predictors with a P value <0.20 in univariable analysis were included in a multivariable model, which was reduced using backwards selection with a P value of 0.05. RESULTS: We identified 376 intestinal transplant recipients across nine centers (median age, 2 years; 44% female). Most patients had short bowel syndrome (294; 78%). The liver was included in 218 transplants (58%). Median posttransplant cost was $263,724 (interquartile range [IQR], $179,564-$384,147), and length of stay was 51.5 days (IQR, 34-77). In the final model, increased cost from transplant to hospital discharge was associated with liver-containing graft (+$31,805; P = 0.028), T-cell-depleting antibody use (+$77,004; P < 0.001), and mycophenolate mofetil use (+$50,514; P = 0.012) while controlling for insurance type and length of stay. A 60-day posttransplant hospital stay would cost an estimated $272,533. CONCLUSIONS: Intestine transplant has high immediate cost and long length of stay that varies by center, graft type, and immunosuppression regimen. Future work will examine the cost-effectiveness of various management strategies before and after transplant.

STEP improves long-term survival for pediatric short bowel syndrome patients: A Markov decision analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Increasingly, for pediatric patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS), intestinal lengthening procedures such as serial transverse enteroplasty (STEP) are being offered with the hope of improving patients' chances for achieving enteral autonomy. However, it remains unclear to what extent STEP reduces the long-term need for intestinal transplant or improves survival. METHODS: Based on existing literature, a decision analytic Markov state transition model was created to simulate the life of 1,000 pediatric SBS patients. Two simulations were modeled: 1) No STEP: patients were listed for transplant once medical management failed and 2) STEP: patients underwent STEP therapy and subsequent transplant listing if enteral autonomy was not achieved. Sensitivity analysis of small bowel length and anatomy was completed. Base case patients were defined as neonates with a small bowel length of 30cm. RESULTS: For base case patients with an ostomy and a NEC SBS etiology, STEP was associated with increased rates of enteral autonomy after 10 years for patients with an ICV (53.9% [STEP] vs. 51.1% [No STEP]) and without an ICV (43.4% [STEP] vs. 36.3% [No STEP]). Transplantation rates were also reduced following STEP therapy for both ICV (17.5% [STEP] vs. 18.2% [No STEP]) and non-ICV patients (20.2% [STEP] vs. 22.1% [No STEP]). 10-year survival was the highest in the (+) STEP and (+) ICV group (85.4%) and lowest in the (-) STEP and (-) ICV group (83.3%). CONCLUSIONS: For SBS patients, according to our model, STEP increases rates of enteral autonomy, reduces need for intestinal transplantation, and improves long-term survival. TYPE OF STUDY: Economic/Decision Analysis or Modeling Studies LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Accurate assessment of bowel length: the method of measurement matters.

PURPOSE: Small intestinal length has prognostic significance for patients with short bowel syndrome, and accurate measurement of Roux-en-Y limbs is considered important. The flexible elasticity of bowel makes its measurement highly subjective, yet a recommended method for intestinal measurement allowing accurate comparisons between surgeons remains undefined. Measurement of intestinal length has been described, but no comparison of the fidelity of measurement technique has been made. We hypothesized that silk suture and umbilical tape would yield the most consistent measurements. METHODS: This institutional review board-approved prospective trial enrolled 12 volunteer surgeons and two Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee-donated rabbits. Participants were asked to measure short, medium, and long segments of small intestine in a euthanized rabbit using common operating room tools: 18-in silk suture, 75-cm umbilical tape, 15-cm straight ruler, laparoscopic Dorsey bowel graspers. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance repeated measures model. RESULTS: Over short segments, intestinal measurements by grasper were significantly shorter than those by tape (P = 0.002) and ruler (P = 0.039). Over medium lengths of bowel, measurements by grasper were significantly shorter than those by suture (P = 0.032) and tape (P = 0.046), and measurements by ruler also were significantly shorter than those by suture (P = 0.008). Over the long intestinal segment, measurements by ruler resulted in the greatest variability, and comparison of variance across all possible pairs of groups found significant difference by method of measurement (P = 0.049). There was a significant difference in measurements taken along the mesenteric border compared with those taken along the antimesenteric border (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Measurement technique along short segments matters less; however, rigid tools underestimate length, and smaller variances in measurement by silk suture and umbilical tape suggest that these methods are more reliable across longer distances.

Assessment and outcome of children with intestinal failure referred for intestinal transplantation.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Chronic intestinal failure (CIF) requires long term parenteral nutrition (PN) and, in some patients, intestinal transplantation (ITx). Indications and timing for ITx remain poorly defined. In the present study we aimed to analyze causes and outcome of children with CIF. METHODS: 118 consecutive patients referred to our institution were assessed by a multidisciplinary team and four different categories were defined retrospectively based on their clinical course: Group 1: patients with reversible intestinal failure; group 2: patients unsuitable for ITx, group 3: patients listed for ITx; group 4: patients stable under PN. Analysis involved comparison between groups for nutritional status, central venous catheter (CVC) related complications, liver disease, and outcome after transplantation by using non parametric tests, Mann-Whitney tests, Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon signed rank tests and chi square distribution for percentage. RESULTS: 118 children (72 boys) with a median age of 15 months at referral (2 months-16 years) were assessed. Etiology of IF was short bowel syndrome [n = 47], intractable diarrhea of infancy [n = 37], total intestinal aganglionosis [n = 18], and chronic intestinal pseudoobstruction [n = 17]. Most patients (89.8%) were totally PN dependent, with 48 children (40.7%) on home-PN prior to admission. Nutritional status was poor with a median body weight at -1.5 z-score (ranges: -5 to +2.5) and median length at -2.0 z-score (ranges: -5.5 to +2.3). The mean number of CVC inserted per patient was 5.2 (range 1-20) and the mean number of CRS per patient was 5.5 (median: 5; range 0-12) Fifty-five patients (46.6%) had thrombosis of ≥2 main venous axis. At admission 34.7% of patients had elevated bilirubin (≥50 µmol/l), and 19.5% had platelets <100,000/ml, and 15% had both. Liver biopsy performed in 79 children was normal (n = 4), or showed F1 or F2 fibrosis (n = 29), bridging fibrosis F3 (n = 20), or cirrhosis (n = 26). Group 1 included 10 children finally weaned from PN (7-years survival: 100%). Group 2 included 12 children with severe liver disease and associated disorders unsuitable for transplantation (7-years survival: 16.6%). Group 3 included 66 patients (56%) who were listed for small bowel or liver-small bowel transplantation, 62/66 have been transplanted (7 years survival: 74.6%). Factors influencing outcome after liver-ITx were body weight (p < .004), length (p < .001), pre-Tx bilirubin plasma level (p < .001) and thrombosis (p < .01) for isolated ITx, Group 4 included 30 children (25.4%) with irreversible IF considered as potential candidates for isolated ITx. Four children were lost from follow up and 3 died within 2 years (survival 88.5%). Among potential candidates, the following parameters improved significantly during the first 12 months of follow up: Body weight (p.0001), length (p < .0001) and bilirubin (p < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: many patients had a poor nutritional status with severe complications especially liver disease. PN related complications were the most relevant indication for ITx, but also a negative predictor for outcome. Early patient referral for Tx-assessment might help to identify and separate children with irreversible IF from children with transient IF or uncomplicated long-term PN, allowing to adapt a patient-based treatment strategy including or not ITx.

Assessment of abnormal bowel perfusion using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography after small bowel transplantation: a case report.

A 59-year-old man with short-bowel syndrome received a small bowel transplantation. Because the recipient complained of severe abdominal pain 40 hours after the surgery and was highly suspected of having mesenteric vascular thrombosis, contrast-enhanced sonography (CEUS) was performed at his bedside. CEUS demonstrated that the superior mesenteric artery was patent, but the bowel graft showed hypoenhancement, indicating severely inadequate perfusion of the graft. Due to this complication, the patient underwent an exploratory laporatomy, and the bowel graft was removed. The pathologic findings support the diagnosis of acute vascular rejection after intestinal transplantation. This case suggests that CEUS can be used to assess perfusion and vascular complications after intestinal transplantation, as it is noninvasive and easily performed at bedside.

[Home parenteral nutrition (HPN): feasibility of its implementation from a public hospital]. / Nutrición parenteral domiciliaria (NPD): factibilidad de implementación desde un hospital público.

INTRODUCTION: The intensive care of patients at home had probed important beneficialness for the patient and the Health System. There are very few experiences of this kind of care from the Public Hospitals. OBJECTIVE: To develop a social-sanitary analysis of the feasibility of the implementation of HPN on patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) from a Public Hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients hospitalized between 1985-2009 were included. We analyzed: age, residual intestine length (RIL), time between de indication and the beginning of HPN, HPN duration, treatment modality and clinical outcome. Social determinants: home place, habitat conditions, employment conditions, educational level, social security and Low Socioeconomic Status (LSS). The group were divided in two: 1- patients with feasibility of HPN when it was prescribed; 2- patients without feasibility of HPN. RESULTS: 61 patients were included, RIL x: 21.7 ± 11.6 cm. The HPN was feasible (G1) in 32 patients (52.4%) and no feasible (G2) in 29 (47.6%). The home treatment modality was in self-caring 25 (81%) and with nurses support 7 (19 %). The social determinants associated with the HPN feasibility were: more than one takecare (p 0.03), educational level (p 0.01), adequate habitat conditions (p 0.02) and Low Socioeconomis Status (LSS) (p 0.07). 17 patients reached intestinal adaptation (28%), 6 (10%) were transplanted, 19 (31%) died and 19 (31%) are actually on HPN. CONCLUSION: The HPN realized from the Public Hospital is feasible. Different social determinants were observed. The care of this group of patients must be done by an interdisciplinary group including general aspects of the child and the family.

Intestinal transplant: the long and short of it.

Intestinal failure (IF), typically due to short bowel syndrome in adults and congenital disorders in pediatric patients, is universally managed with parenteral nutrition (PN). When patients fail PN due to recurrent infection, loss of central venous access or PN-induced liver disease, intestinal transplant (ITx) is indicated. ITx consists of transplant of the small bowel, small bowel plus liver, or intestine plus multiple abdominal viscera. ITx allows for freedom from PN but is complicated by rejection and infection. Early referral of patients with IF to centers with experience in intestinal rehabilitation and transplantation is essential to improve patient outcome.

Outcomes in children with intestinal failure following listing for intestinal transplant.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the population of pediatric patients waiting for intestinal transplant and to evaluate the risk of death or transplant by specific disease states. METHODS: We studied the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database (Jan 1,1991 to 5/16/08) for patients 21 years old or younger at first listing for intestinal transplant and examined their age, sex, weight, and diagnoses. Time to list removal was summarized with cumulative incidence curves. Multinomial logistic regression was used to compare relative risk ratios for removal from the list for transplant, death, or other reasons. RESULTS: We identified 1712 children listed for intestinal transplant (57% male, 51% <1 year, weight 8.1 kg [IQR, 6.1-14.1] at listing). Median age and weight at transplant (n = 852) were 1 year (IQR, 1-5) and 10 kg (IQR, 6.5-16.3). Regression analysis demonstrated significant differences in outcomes among disease conditions (P < .001). Compared to the gastroschisis group, the relative risk ratio for death versus transplant was higher in the necrotizing enterocolitis group (P = .015), lower in the short gut syndrome group (P = .001), and not different in the volvulus group (P = .94) after adjustment for weight and sex. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the relative risk of transplant vs death varies significantly by the disease condition of the patient.

The optimal timing of intestinal transplantation for children with intestinal failure: a Markov analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Identify an optimal approach to the timing of intestinal transplantation for children dependent on total parenteral nutrition (PN). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Children with short bowel syndrome are frequently dependent on PN for growth and development. Intestinal transplantation is often considered after PN-related complications occur, but optimal timing of transplantation is controversial. METHODS: A Markov analytic model was used to determine life expectancy (LY) and quality-adjusted life years on a theoretical cohort of 4-year-old subjects for two treatment strategies: (1) standard care consisting of PN and referral to transplantation according to accepted guidelines and (2) early listing for isolated small intestine transplantation. RESULTS: Early listing for intestinal transplantation was associated with 0.27 additional life years (13.16 vs. 12.89) and 0.76 additional quality-adjusted life years (10.51 vs. 9.75) as compared with current standard care. The unadjusted analysis was sensitive to the development of PN-associated liver disease, at a threshold of approximately 11% per year, and its related probability of dying at a threshold of 80% 2-year mortality. Early listing for transplantation was the dominant strategy until the probability of late bowel rejection reached 35% per year. CONCLUSIONS: Children with short bowel syndrome dependent on PN should be considered for intestinal transplantation earlier than what is current practice.

Review of incidence and management of chylous ascites after small bowel transplantation.

Nutrition management of intestinal transplant recipients continues to be a challenging and essential component of the early postoperative care of this patient population. The absorptive capacity of the graft can be affected by immunologic and nonimmunologic factors, including enteric lymphatic disruption, preservation injury, central denervation, viral enteritis, systemic infections, and rejection. Chylous ascites, the extravasation of milky chyle into the peritoneal fluid, defined by elevated triglycerides levels of > or = 200 mg/dL, can occur as a result of trauma, obstruction, or interruption of the lymphatic system. It seems the incidence of chylous ascites after small bowel transplantation is low; however, this may be due in part to the limitation of enteral long-chain triglycerides in the early posttransplant period of 2-6 weeks. After this time frame, clinical evidence suggests that fat assimilation normalizes. In the event that chylous ascites develop as a posttransplant complication, limitation of oral or enteral nutrition support to a very-low-fat regimen may be required, or parenteral nutrition (PN) will need to be provided until clinical status improves. Long-term posttransplant, lymphatic regeneration generally occurs and the majority of intestinal transplant recipients achieve the ultimate goal of nutrition autonomy.

Body composition in patients with short bowel syndrome: an assessment by bioelectric impedance spectroscopy (BIS) and dual-energy absorptiometry (DXA).

OBJECTIVE: To describe body composition in patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) by using bioelectric impedance spectroscopy (BIS), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measurements and anthropometrical-derived estimates. SUBJECTS: In all, 19 patients were included, mean age 54 y, range 36-77 (F/M=11/8). Mean BMI was 21.5 kg/m(2). Eight patients were on home parenteral nutrition (HPN). METHODS: Total body water (TBW), intracellular water and extracellular water were assessed by BIS. TBW were derived from DXA. Fat-free mass (FFM) was assessed by BIS and DXA. TBW and FFM were predicted according to an empirical formula. Differences were analysed using the Bland-Altman method. RESULTS: The mean difference between TBW (DXA) and TBW (BIS) was -1.1 l in women and -1.8 l in men. For FFM, the mean difference between FFM (DXA) and FFM (BIS) was -1.7 kg in women and -2.5 kg in men. The mean difference between TBW (DXA) and TBW (BIS) for all patients was -1.2 l and limits of agreement were (-7.80-5.40). Hydration of FFM assessed by BIS gave a mean of 0.75 (0.08). CONCLUSION: The limits of agreement (Bland-Altman) between DXA and BIS were wide, indicating that methods are not interchangeable, which limits its clinical utility. Most of our patients with SBS were maintained in a stable clinical condition within normal limits of body weight and BMI. FFM and TBW did not appear to be altered in ileostomates or those on HPN.

Reversed bowel segments for the treatment of short bowel syndrome: assessment of their minimal length in correlation with electromyographic pattern in the rat.

Reversal of a distal intestinal loop is a surgical therapy intended to cure rapid intestinal transit in short bowel syndrome. To be active, a reversed loop must present a retrograde propagation of electromyographic patterns and must not be so long as to cause total obstruction. The aim of the current study was to propose methods to calculate the minimal length of the intestinal reversed loop taking into consideration the two previous conditions. Intestinal electromyograms were recorded in 65 rats at short-term (4 days after surgery) and ten rats at long-term (50 days after surgery). Control rats demonstrated that the preprandial regular spiking activity (RSA) of the migrating myoelectrical complex (MMC) extended simultaneously a definite part of the intestine which corresponds to the minimal length to reverse. A similar result can be obtained from a trigonometric representation. Whatever the method, the minimal lengths allowing the recording of RSA decreased along the rat intestine from 6 cm (proximal jejunum) to 4 cm (distal ileum). The experiments demonstrated that shorter loops did not present the preprandial RSA. In conclusion, the minimal reversed length depends on intestinal electromyographic parameters and, thereby, on the intestinal level.

Short bowel syndrome in patients studied at the National Institute of Pediatrics in mexico. Care, cost and perspectives

Background. Short bowel syndrome (SBS) continues to be one of the most challenging problems in pediatric surgery. Intestinal transplantation (IT) seems to be best form of treatment for this pathology. However, it is thought that the development of an IT programs may be more expensive than the present manner of treatment. Methods. To assess this item, and to identify potential candidates for IT, we reviewed the charts of all the patients with SBS treated at our Institute from 1989 to 1994. Results. Nine patients were identified as carriers of SBS; six with intestinal atresia, two with midgut volvulus and one with post-traumatic mesenteric thrombosis. The small bowel remnants varied from 1 to 80 cm, seven patients had remnants shorter than 30 cm, and the ileocecal valve was resected in three. Results. The overall morbidity and mortality was extremely high; four patients died within the first 3 months postresection and those still alive have had several complications: sepsis; hydroelectrolyte imbalances secondary to loose stools; thrombosis or infection of the catheter; TPN-related cholestasis, and malabsorption syndromes, etc. No patient survived with an intestinal remnant shorter than 15 cm. Of the five survivors, four have a weight/age deficit greater than 40 percent, two have rickets, one still depends on TPN and all, except one, require special enteral diets. Multiple central venous accesses had to be performed in every patient (mean 4.8). They all required multiple readmissions and have spent a considerable part of their lives as inpatients. The mean of the calculated cost per patient was $50,000 USD, while the minimal wage in mexico is $1,616 USD/year (1). conclusions. The shorter the segment of the retained bowel and the longer the survival, the higher the cost. These results may be further improved with the development of IT and, probably, with the same economic burden

Short bowel syndrome in patients studied at the National Institute of Pediatrics in Mexico. Care, cost and perspectives.

BACKGROUND: Short bowel syndrome (SBS) continues to be one of the most challenging problems in pediatric surgery. Intestinal transplantation (IT) seems to be the best form of treatment for this pathology. However, it is thought that the development of an IT program may be more expensive than the present manner of treatment. METHODS: To assess this item, and to identify potential candidates for IT, we reviewed the charts of all the patients with SBS treated at our Institute from 1989 to 1994. RESULT: Nine patients were identified as carriers of SBS; six with intestinal atresia, two with midgut volvulus and one with post-traumatic mesenteric thrombosis. The small bowel remnants varied from 1 to 80 cm, seven patients had remnants shorter than 30 cm, and the ileocecal valve was resected in three. RESULTS: The overall morbidity and mortality was extremely high; four patients died within the first 3 months postresection and those still alive have had several complications: sepsis; hydroelectrolyte imbalances secondary to loose stools; thrombosis or infection of the catheter; TPN-related cholestasis, and malabsorption syndromes, etc. No patient survived with an intestinal remnant shorter than 15 cm. Of the five survivors, four have a weight/age deficit greater than 40%, two have rickets, one still depends on TPN and all, except one, require special enteral diets. Multiple central venous accesses had to be performed in every patient (mean 4.8). They all required multiple readmissions and have spent a considerable part of their lives as inpatients. The mean of the calculated cost per patient was $50,000 USD, while the minimal wage in Mexico is $1,616 USD/year (1). CONCLUSIONS: The shorter the segment of the retained bowel and the longer the survival, the higher the cost. These results may be further improved with the development of IT and, probably, with the same economic burden.

Home parenteral nutrition for the patient with bowel syndrome and ostomy.

For patients who have lost all function of their gastrointestinal tract, home parenteral nutrition represents not just enormous costsavings over inpatient parenteral nutrition, it also allows patients to resume many of the routines of their daily life, at home.