Outcomes After Intestinal Transplantation in Crohn Disease vs. Other Indications

Intestinal transplantation is used in rare instances of refractory Crohn disease in patients with short bowel syndrome from multiple resections. In a retrospective review of U.S. transplant registry data, Crohn disease accounted for 142 (13%) of 1115 intestinal transplantations occurring between 1990 and 2014.

Overall outcomes in patients with Crohn disease were comparable to patients without Crohn disease, including the risks for acute rejection, graft failure (except for the period prior to 2000 when this risk was elevated in patients with Crohn disease vs. other indications), and death. The overall incidence of death was 23%, 48%, and 60% at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively, among all intestinal transplant recipients.