Intestinal Transplantation
Our Program
Program Highlights
- Program inception: 1990
- More than 500 intestinal and multivisceral transplants on both adult and pediatric patients have been performed at UPMC, representing more than 25 percent of the worldwide total.
- UPMC has the longest worldwide adult survivor, who is now beyond the 20-year milestone and enjoying excellent quality of life.
- Our team developed and standardized many of the procedures currently used by transplant centers around the world.
Intestinal Transplantation at UPMC
Since its inception in 1990, the Intestinal Rehabilitation and Transplantation Center (IRTC) at UPMC has distinguished itself as a worldwide leader, offering a range of services for patients diagnosed with intestinal failure.
The specialists at the IRTC use state-of-the-art medical and surgical treatments to successfully help patients restore their lifestyles without the need for intravenous nutrition. Many of our patients have experienced success with rehabilitation services, while others with more advanced diseases benefit from transplantation. Patients from both of these groups have gone on to experience greatly improved quality of life, enjoying a normal oral diet.
The program has performed more than 500 intestinal and multivisceral transplants on both adult and pediatric patients. This volume represents more than 25 percent of the total number of transplants worldwide.
Because of our role as a leader in the field of solid organ transplantation, our program is consistently challenged with some of the most difficult and complex cases. Our kidney, liver, intestinal, and pancreas specialists are experts in their fields. Many are involved in leading research into hereditary aspects of disease, novel therapies, and new ways to use antirejection medicines to improve outcomes for patients.
Volumes and Outcomes
Many factors influence a transplant center’s survival rates, including the patient’s condition. Despite a history of caring for patients with complex medical and surgical problems, we maintain outcomes that are at or near national benchmarks. To view specific information about our outcomes, including one- and three-year survival rates, please visit the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients.
Research in Abdominal Transplantation
UPMC is a leader in immunosuppressive therapy and other cutting-edge research and advancements. Our latest work focuses on reducing or even, in a few cases, eliminating the need for antirejection medication to support long-term outcomes. This includes pioneering recipient pretreatment (preconditioning) to prevent initial rejection, while reducing the need for high doses of antirejection medications with long-term follow-up.
