Transplant Center

Patients with intestinal failure may require a combined liver and intestine transplant if Total Parental Nutrition (TPN) has irreversibly damaged the liver. Other patients with some TPN liver dysfunction, and an adequate estimated length of intestine, may require only a liver transplant even with the diagnosis of intestinal "failure." The type of operation needed will be determined during the transplant evaluation and may include one of the following:

• Isolated intestinal transplantation
• Isolated liver transplantation
• Combined intestine/liver transplantation (part of the pancreas is included in combined transplants because its location in the body helps in removing the other two organs)

All intestines utilized for transplants at The Nebraska Medical Center come from deceased donors. Deceased organ donation occurs when a patient on life support in an intensive care unit has been determined to be brain-dead. In addition, either the patient has a signed donor card, or advanced directives stating his/her wishes, or the family consents to organ donation.

The Nebraska Medical Center has a very active and successful Intestinal Rehabilitation Program (IRP). This program works to get patients off of TPN or decrease the hours/days of TPN to help preserve the function of the liver.

Some patients who come for transplant evaluation are referred to the IRP in an attempt to avoid transplantation or improve the nutritional status of patients prior to transplant, which helps minimize some of the complications during and after transplantation. To learn more about our Intestinal Rehabilitation Program click here.