Health-related quality of life in pediatric intestinal transplantation.

To determine HRQOL after pediatric intestinal transplantation. Thirty-four IT survivors from 1999 to 2012 were asked to complete age-specific HRQOL non-disease-specific questionnaires: TAPQOL (0-4 yr), KINDL-R (5-7 yr; 8-12 yr; 13-17 yr), and SF-36v2 (>18 yr), all validated with Spanish population. Primary caregiver completed a SF-36 questionnaire and CBI. Thirty-one participants were included. Median age was 10.2 yr (1-29) and time after transplant 4.4 yr (0-13). Overall patient scores were 78.2 ± 10.6 (n = 8), 83.3 ± 9.7 (n = 6), 72.2 ± 9.21 (n = 6), 80.5 ± 12.4 (n = 7), and 82.2 ± 12.4 (n = 4) for each age group. Highest scores were obtained for vitality (group I), self-esteem (group IV), and physical and social functioning and emotions (group V). Lowest scores were obtained in appetite and behavior (I), family and school (III), and chronic disease perception (III, IV). No significant differences were found between caregivers and their children. CBI showed stress in 52%. SF-36 for caregivers was lower than general population. No significant differences were found depending on relevant clinical and sociodemographic data. HRQOL was acceptable and improved with age and time since transplantation. Parents had a slighter own QOL and worse perception of health than their children. When successful, intestinal transplantation allows a normal life in most patients and can be offered as an attractive option.

Preservation of the native spleen in multivisceral transplantation.

The native spleen is usually removed in patients undergoing MTV. The consequential asplenic state is associated with a high risk of sepsis, especially in immunosuppressed children. In contrast, the inclusion of an allogeneic spleen in multivisceral grafts has been associated with a high incidence of GVHD. We propose an alternative technique for patients undergoing MTV, consisting of the preservation of the native spleen. This approach avoids the additional risk of infection that characterizes the asplenic state without the detrimental side effects of the allogeneic spleen.

Trasplante intestinal: ¿en qué fase estamos? / Intestinal transplant: in what phase are we?

Objetivo. Analizar la evolución del trasplante intestinal (TI) desde el inicio del programa .Material y métodos. Estudiamos retrospectivamente todos los niños con TI (1997-2009): epidemiología, situación previa, técnica quirúrgica, inmunosupresión, resultados, supervivencia y calidad de vida .Resultados. Realizamos 52 TI (20 intestinal aislado, 20 hepatointestinal, 12 multiviscerales) en 46 niños, edad mediana 32m (rango7m-19a); peso 12,3 kg (rango 3,9-60); 31 tenían intestino corto, 8 dismotilidad, 5 diarrea intratable y 2 misceláneos. Veintiséis se intentaronadaptar inicialmente, 20 se incluyeron directamente como candidatos. La modalidad de trasplante se modificó durante su espera en 18. Todos recibieron tacrolimus y corticoides requiriendo 5 conversión a sirolimus posteriormente. Seis fallecieron el primer mes por sepsis/fallo multiorgánico (mala situación basal); 13 fallecieron tardíamente; observamos rechazo agudo en 20, rechazo crónico en 3, síndrome linfoproliferativo en 8 (fallecieron 6), y EICH en 5 (fallecieron 3). La supervivencia tras 5 años es del 65,2 % (51,7% el injerto). Desde 2006-2008,la supervivencia a los 6m, 1 y 3 años del paciente/injerto es 88,7/84,1,81,2/81,2 y 81,2/71,1%, respectivamente. Tras un seguimiento medio de 39 ± 29 meses, todos los pacientes vivos (n=27, 59%) son autónomos digestivos (70% ya sin estoma), están escolarizados, con mínimosingresos y buena calidad de vida. Conclusiones. El TI se afianza como alternativa de tratamiento en (..) (AU)

Objective. To analyze the evolution of Small Bowel Transplantation program since the beginning of the program. Matherial and methods. All children who underwent intestinal transplantation between 1997 and 2009 were retrospectively reviewed: epidemiological data, status before transplant, surgical technique, immunosupression, results, survival and long. term quality of life were analysed. Results. Fifty-two intestinal transplants were performed in 46 children (20 isolated bowel, 20 combined liver and intestine, and 12 multivisceral); median age was 32m (range 7m-19a); weight 12,3 kg (range3,9-60); 31 had short gut syndrome, 8 dismotility, 5 intractable diarrhea, and two were miscellaneous. Intestinal adaptation was initially attempted in 26 patients, without success, 20 were directly listed for transplant. The modality of transplant was modified in 17 while listed. Baseline immune supression consisted of tacrolimus and steroids, although 5 required conversion to Sirolimus later. Six died during the first month, due to sepsis/multiorganic failure (poor status at transplant);13 died during the long-term follow-up. Acute rejection was seen in 20,chronic rejection in 3, PTLD in 8 (6 died) and GVHD in 5 patients (3died). Overall survival after 5 years of follow-up is 65,2 % (51,7% for (..) (AU)

[Intestinal transplant: in what phase are we?]. / Trasplante intestinal: ¿en qué fase estamos?

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the evolution of Small Bowel Transplantation program since the beginning of the program. MATERIAL AND METHODS: [corrected] All children who underwent intestinal transplantation between 1997 and 2009 were retrospectively reviewed: epidemiological data, status before transplant, surgical technique, immunosupression, results, survival and long.term quality of life were analysed. RESULTS: Fifty-two intestinal transplants were performed in 46 children (20 isolated bowel, 20 combined liver and intestine, and 12 multivisceral); median age was 32m (range 7m-19a); weight 12,3 kg (range 3,9-60); 31 had short gut syndrome, 8 dismotility, 5 intractable diarrhea, and two were miscellaneous. Intestinal adaptation was initially attempted in 26 patients, without success, 20 were directly listed for transplant. The modality of transplant was modified in 17 while listed. Baseline immunosupression consisted of tacrolimus and steroids, although 5 required conversion to Sirolimus later. Six died during the first month, due to sepsis/multiorganic failure (poor status at transplant); 13 died during the long-term follow-up. Acute rejection was seen in 20, chronic rejection in 3, PTLD in 8 (6 died) and GVHD in 5 patients (3 died). Overall survival after 5 years of follow-up is 65,2 % (51,7% for the graft). From 2006 to 2008, overall patient/graft survival at 6 m, 1 and 3 years after transplant is 88,7/84,1, 81,2/81,2 and 81,2/71,1%, respectively. After a median follw-up of 39 +/- 29 months, 27 patients are alive (59%), off TPN, (70% had their ostomy taken down), go to school, are scarcely hospitalized and enjoy a good quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Intestinal transplantation has consolided itself as a good choice for irreversible intestinal failure, being feasible to achieve a normal life. Although overall survival diminishes over time, the center experience has improved the results. These patients need a very close follow-up, once transplant is over, in order to get an early diagnose of immunological complications.