Intestine – OPTN

Intestine

The intestine

Functions of the Intestine

The intestines are part of the alimentary tract. This tract extends from the upper esophagus through the stomach, small bowel, and colon, and ends at the anus. Intestinal organs support life by digesting food, absorbing nutrients, and ridding the body of waste. 

Intestinal organs may not function properly for a number of reasons, including:

• Metabolic or immune system diseases
• Loss of blood flow to the organs
• Severe infection
• Damage from diseases of other organs such as the liver or kidneys

The most common condition leading to an intestinal transplant is short gut syndrome. This happens when there is not enough small intestine to digest food normally. It can happen at birth. It can also be caused by other diseases and/or surgical removal of part of the intestine.

Intestine transplant procedures

An intestinal organ transplant may include the entire gastrointestinal tract from esophagus to large intestine, or it may be any portion. Other organs may also be transplanted along with intestinal organs. The primary types of transplants include:

• Small bowel alone
• Liver and small bowel
• Multivisceral transplantation including the stomach and small bowel, sometimes including the colon and/or other organs such as liver and pancreas

Intestine transplants almost always involve a deceased donor. In very rare instances, a living donor has provided a segment of intestine for transplantation.

Reasons for intestine transplants