Small Intestine Transplant

## Small Intestine Transplant in India Small intestine transplantation (also known as intestinal transplantation) is a highly specialised surgical procedure performed for patients with irreversible intestinal failure — a condition in which the small bowel can no longer absorb adequate nutrients to sustain life. Common indications include short bowel syndrome (due to massive intestinal resection), Crohn's disease with extensive bowel loss, mesenteric vascular thrombosis, intestinal pseudo-obstruction, and complications of long-term total parenteral nutrition (TPN) such as liver failure and recurrent line sepsis. ### Why Choose India for Intestinal Transplantation? While intestinal transplantation remains one of the rarest and most complex organ transplants worldwide, India has developed capability in this field at select centres of excellence. Institutions such as Apollo Hospitals, Medanta, and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital have multidisciplinary transplant teams with expertise in isolated intestinal transplants, combined liver-intestine transplants, and multivisceral transplants. Indian transplant surgeons bring fellowship training from leading international programmes, and the cost of intestinal transplantation in India is substantially lower than in the United States or Europe — making this life-saving procedure accessible to patients who might otherwise be unable to afford it. ### Surgical Expertise and Advanced Facilities Indian transplant centres performing intestinal transplantation are equipped with advanced operating suites, organ preservation systems, and specialised post-operative care units. The surgical teams are proficient in complex vascular anastomoses, graft surveillance endoscopy, and management of immunological rejection — the primary challenge in intestinal transplantation. Advanced immunosuppression protocols, including induction therapy with anti-thymocyte globulin and maintenance with tacrolimus-based regimens, are employed to minimise rejection rates and improve graft survival. ### Post-Transplant Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care Recovery from a small intestine transplant requires a carefully structured rehabilitation programme. Patients gradually transition from parenteral to enteral nutrition as the transplanted bowel adapts and begins absorbing nutrients. Frequent endoscopic surveillance with mucosal biopsies is performed to detect early signs of rejection. Indian centres provide comprehensive nutritional support, immunosuppression management, and infection surveillance throughout the recovery period. Curivora works closely with transplant centres to coordinate the full patient journey — from initial assessment and donor matching through surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term follow-up with the patient's home gastroenterology team.