Simultaneous Intestinal and Kidney Transplantation in Adults

Aim of the study: Intestinal transplantation (IT) is a life-saving procedure for carefully selected patients with intestinal failure. We evaluated patients who had undergone simultaneous intestinal and kidney transplantation (SIKT) to determine whether UK guidelines for inclusion of a renal allograft (dialysis dependent or estimated glomerular filtration rate ((eGFR)) < 45 ml/min/1.73 m²) are justified. Methods: A single centre analysis was undertaken of adults undergoing IT at the Cambridge Transplant Centre between December 2007 and January 2016. A prospectively maintained database was used to identify SIKT recipients and determine outcomes. Results: Over this period, 63 intestinal transplants were performed. Seven (11.1%) recipients received a SIKT. Five were pre-dialysis (median eGFR 29 ml/min/1.73 m², range 16–36 ml/min/1.73 m²). One recipient was on dialysis, and one needed bilateral nephrectomy at transplant. There were no primary kidney allograft failures and at three months, the median eGFR (55 ml/min/1.73 m² range 39–124) was similar to recipients of IT alone (median eGFR 56 ml/min/1.73 m² range 17–143 ml/min/1.73 m²). Two recipients required dialysis due to sepsis related kidney injury and died from multi-organ failure (20 and 63 months). Two died with a functioning renal transplant (10 and 15 months). The remaining three patients are alive at follow up (12–96 months) with an eGFR of 20–45 ml/min/1.73 m². Conclusion: Patients with significant renal impairment (eGFR <45 ml/min/1.73 m²), and receiving dialysis may benefit from SIKT. Patient survival and renal function are broadly comparable to those undergoing IT alone. Further studies are required to justify allocation of a kidney to this complex high risk group.