First report of full colon transplantation as part of a visceral allograft

Abstract

Background: The inclusion of the colon as part of intestinal and multivisceral allografts has increased in the last decade. Methods: We describe for the first time in the literature a full colon transplantation as a part of a visceral allograft. The new approach involves modifications of the procurement technique with preservation of all three visceral aortic branches and incorporation of the descending and sigmoid colon as a part of the allograft. Result: Seventeen months after transplantation, the patient is off any parenteral nutritional support, on full oral nutrition without the need for a single antidiarrheal agent. Conclusion: The introduction of this novel technique could open new opportunities for hindgut reconstruction for patients requiring visceral transplantation, with potential increase in allograft absorptive capacity and improvement in quality of life.