Systematic literature review on self-reported quality of life in adult intestinal transplantation

Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses in Intestinal Transplant Rejection: Through the Lens of Inflammatory Bowel and Intestinal Graft-Versus-Host Diseases

Intestinal transplantation is a life-saving procedure utilized for patients failing total parenteral nutrition. However, intestinal transplantattion remains plagued with low survival rates and high risk of allograft rejection. The authors explore roles of innate (macrophages, natural killer cells, innate lymphoid cells) and adaptive immune cells (Th1, Th2, Th17, Tregs) in inflammatory responses, particularly inflammatory bowel disease and graft versus host disease, and correlate these findings to intestinal allograft rejection, highlighting which effectors exacerbate or suppress intestinal rejection. Better understanding of this immunology can open further investigation into potential biomolecular targets to develop improved therapeutic treatment options and immunomonitoring techniques to combat allograft rejection and enhance patient lives.

Sleep and home parenteral nutrition in adults: A narrative review

Infusions of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) are often cycled at night coinciding with sleep episodes. Adult consumers of HPN are known to experience poor sleep attributed to frequent awakenings and long durations of wakefulness after falling asleep. Consequently, most consumers do not meet recommendations for sleep duration and quality or daytime napping. The primary underlying pathophysiology resulting in sleep problems is nocturia; however, other factors also exist, including disruptions caused by medical equipment (ie, pump alarms), comorbid conditions, dysglycemia, and medication use. Early guidance on sleep is imperative because of the central role of sleep in physical health and wellbeing, including mitigating complications, such as infection risk, gastrointestinal problems, pain sensitivity, and fatigue. Clinicians should routinely inquire about the sleep of their patients and address factors known to perturb sleep. Nonpharmacologic opportunities to mitigate sleep problems include education on healthy sleep practices (ie, sleep hygiene); changes in infusion schedules, volumes, rates, and equipment; and, possibly, behavioral interventions, which have yet to be examined in this population. Addressing comorbid conditions, such as mood disorders, and nutrition deficiencies may also help. Pharmacologic interventions and technological advancement in HPN delivery are also needed. Research on sleep in this population is considered a priority, yet it remains limited at this time.

[Indications and results of intestinal transplantation for short bowel syndrome after mesenteric ischemia]

BACKGROUND

Intestinal transplantation (ITx) is the only causal treatment for complicated chronic intestinal failure after mesenteric ischemia and impending failure of parenteral supplementation. Isolated or combined ITx with the inclusion of the intestine is associated with demanding immunological, perioperative and infection associated challenges.

AIM

The characterization of chronic intestinal failure, the indications, transplant survival, transplantation techniques and success rates.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Collection, summary and critical appraisal of international guidelines, the guidelines of the German Medical Chamber, and the international literature.

RESULTS

The first successful ITx were performed in 1987 and 1988 at the University of Kiel Germany and the University of Pittsburgh, USA. The number of ITx rose continuously but in phases from the end of the 1990s to over 200 per year but has currently decreased to 100-150 per year due to optimized intestinal rehabilitation. While the 1‑year and 3‑year transplant survival rates were 30% and 20% before 1991, they increased in phases up to 60% and 50%, respectively, after 1995 and have now achieved almost 80% and 70%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The substantial improvement in the results of ITx can be partly explained by progress in operative techniques, intensive care medicine and a better understanding of mucosal immunity; however, optimized strategies in immunosuppression as well as prevention of infectious diseases and malignancies have also made decisive contributions.

ESPEN guideline on chronic intestinal failure in adults - Update 2023

BACKGROUND & AIMS

In 2016, ESPEN published the guideline for Chronic Intestinal Failure (CIF) in adults. An updated version of ESPEN guidelines on CIF due to benign disease in adults was devised in order to incorporate new evidence since the publication of the previous ESPEN guidelines.

METHODS

The grading system of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) was used to grade the literature. Recommendations were graded according to the levels of evidence available as A (strong), B (conditional), 0 (weak) and Good practice points (GPP). The recommendations of the 2016 guideline (graded using the GRADE system) which were still valid, because no studies supporting an update were retrieved, were reworded and re-graded accordingly.

RESULTS

The recommendations of the 2016 guideline were reviewed, particularly focusing on definitions, and new chapters were included to devise recommendations on IF centers, chronic enterocutaneous fistulas, costs of IF, caring for CIF patients during pregnancy, transition of patients from pediatric to adult centers. The new guideline consist of 149 recommendations and 16 statements which were voted for consensus by ESPEN members, online in July 2022 and at conference during the annual Congress in September 2022. The Grade of recommendation is GPP for 96 (64.4%) of the recommendations, 0 for 29 (19.5%), B for 19 (12.7%), and A for only five (3.4%). The grade of consensus is "strong consensus" for 148 (99.3%) and "consensus" for one (0.7%) recommendation. The grade of consensus for the statements is "strong consensus" for 14 (87.5%) and "consensus" for two (12.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

It is confirmed that CIF management requires complex technologies, multidisciplinary and multiprofessional activity, and expertise to care for the underlying gastrointestinal disease and to provide HPN support. Most of the recommendations were graded as GPP, but almost all received a strong consensus.

Hyperthermic Intrathoracic Chemotherapy (HITHOC) for Pleural Disseminated Thymoma: A Systematic Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Optimal treatment for thymoma with pleural dissemination (TPD) remains unclear. Extended radical resection is the cornerstone for local treatment but the need for pleuro-pneumonectomy is debatable. Cytoreductive surgery with intraoperative hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy (HITHOC) provides an alternative strategy to reduce tumor load and prevent pleural recurrence.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this review was to provide an overview of current literature regarding HITHOC for TPD.

METHODS

A systematic literature review (PRISMA) was performed in the EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane and Web of Science databases, resulting in 154 papers selected for screening (PROSPERO: CRD42020208242). Title, abstract, and full-text screening resulted in 13 papers subjected to structured data extraction and methodological quality assessment. One additional case from our department was included. Inclusion criteria were original research reporting on patients diagnosed with TPD; oncological outcome reporting; intraoperative HITHOC; and papers written in English, Dutch or German. Methodological quality was assessed using the Risk-of-Bias (RoB)-2 Tool and the Newcastle-Ottawa scale.

RESULTS

HITHOC for TPD was reported in 171 cases. HITHOC-related mortality was absent and morbidity was reported in three cases. Intrathoracic perfusion of a platinum-derivative, often combined with other chemotherapeutic drugs at >40°C for 60 min or longer was always used. Post-HITHOC recurrence was reported in 37/120 cases (31%). In patients with a minimal 1-year follow-up, average time to recurrence was 68.5 months.

CONCLUSION

Combining cytoreductive surgery and HITHOC is feasible and safe for TPD. The strong heterogeneity in the literature impedes proper outcome analysis. More research is needed to better understand the additional benefit of HITHOC in the TPD setting.

Cost-effectiveness of Intestinal Transplantation Compared to Parenteral Nutrition in Adults

BACKGROUND

Intestinal transplantation (ITx) is the most expensive abdominal organ transplant. Detailed studies about exact costs and cost-effectiveness compared to home parenteral nutrition (HPN) therapy in chronic intestinal failure are lacking. The aim is to provide an in-depth analysis of ITx costs and evaluate cost-effectiveness compared to HPN.

METHODS

To calculate costs before and after ITx, costs were analyzed in 12 adult patients. To calculate the costs of patients with uncomplicated chronic intestinal failure, 28 adults, stable HPN patients were studied. Total costs including surgery, admissions, diagnostics, HPN therapy, medication, and ambulatory care were included. Median (range) costs are given.

RESULTS

Costs before ITx were €69 160 (€60 682-90 891) in year 2, and €104 146 (€83 854-186 412) in year 1. After ITx, costs were €172 133 (€122 483-351 407) in the 1st year, €40 619 (€3905-113 154) in the 2nd year, and dropped to €15 743 (€4408-138 906) in the 3rd year. In stable HPN patients, the costs were €83 402 (€35 364-169 146) in the 1st year, €70 945 (€31 955-117 913) in the 2nd year, and stabilized to €60 242 (€29 161-238 136) in the 3rd year.

CONCLUSIONS

ITx, although initially very expensive, is cost-effective compared to HPN in adults by year 4, and cost-saving by year 5.

[Chronic intestinal failure]

The term intestinal failure (IF) is understood as the transient or irreversible loss of the resorptive capacity of the bowels. This includes a multitude of diseases, some of which have anatomical causes and others functional causes. The functional capacity (absorption and motility) of the remaining digestive tract and the bacterial overgrowth and false colonization of the small bowel are of prognostic importance. After exclusion of pathological intestinal findings, such as stenosis and dilatation, initially conservative treatment is employed with the aim of intestinal adaptation. Before failure or complications, initially conservative surgery and then organ replacement by transplantation should be considered. The IF is a temporary or permanent condition. For adults a length of 100cm small bowel without the colon, 60cm still with continuity to the colon and 35cm small bowel with complete preservation of the colon including the ileocecal valve are potentially sufficient for intestinal autonomy.

Allotransplantation of donor rectus fascia for abdominal wall closure in transplant patients: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Abdominal wall closure after intestinal, multivisceral or liver transplantation can be a major challenge. Different surgical techniques have been described to close complex abdominal wall defects, but results remain variable. Two promising transplant techniques have been developed using either non-vascularized or vascularized donor rectus fascia. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of the two techniques.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Human studies published between January 2000 and April 2020 were included. Methodological quality appraisal was done using an adapted 10-item standardized checklist.

RESULTS

The search resulted in 9 articles including 74 patients. Both techniques proved to be feasible and had similar results. After non-vascularized rectus fascia allotransplantation, there was a slightly higher rate of surgical site infections in the earlier reports. Overall, there were few complications, no fascial graft related rejections or deaths. The included articles scored low on quality appraisal, mostly due to the small number of cases and scarcely reported outcome parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic literature review reports two emerging new techniques for complex abdominal wall closure in transplant patients, with promising results. Standardized data collection in a prospective manner could give us more detailed information about short- and long-term outcomes. Preclinical animal studies are necessary for a thorough investigation of the mechanisms of graft integration, the risk of hernia development and the alloimmune response against the graft.

New insights into the indications for intestinal transplantation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To discuss the new guidelines on the indications for intestinal transplantation (ITx) devised in 2019 by the Intestinal Rehabilitation and Transplant Association.

RECENT FINDINGS

Early referral of patients with intestinal failure to expert intestinal rehabilitation/transplant centre is strongly recommended. Listing for a life-saving transplantation is recommended for intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD) evolving to liver failure, invasive intra-abdominal desmoids, acute diffuse intestinal infarction with hepatic failure, re-transplant, and children with loss of at least three of the four upper central venous access sites or with high morbidity intestinal failure. Developments in ITx made the probability of posttransplant survival equal to that on home parenteral nutrition (HPN) and the QoL after successful ITx better than on HPN. However, for patients who have not an actual increased risk of death on HPN, the matter of preemptive listing for ITx is still controversial. For these patients, a careful case-by-case decision is recommended.

SUMMARY

The new guidelines on ITx confirm the straight referral for ITx only for patients at actual risk of death on HPN. Improvements in ITx practice and results, advances in the severity classification of intestinal failure, monitoring of the evolution of IFALD, and measuring patients' QoL are required for an immediate progression in the treatment of intestinal failure.

New Insights Into the Indications for Intestinal Transplantation: Consensus in the Year 2019

In 2001, a Statement was published that described indications for intestinal transplantation in patients with intestinal failure expected to require parenteral nutrition indefinitely. Since 2001, advances in the management of intestinal failure including transplantation and patient survival, both on extended parenteral nutrition and after transplantation, have improved, leading to a reduction in the number of intestinal transplants worldwide from a peak of 270 per year in 2008 to 149 per year in 2017. These changes suggest that the original 2001 Statement requires reassessment. All patients with permanent intestinal failure should be managed by dedicated multidisciplinary intestinal rehabilitation teams. Under care of these teams, patients should be considered for intestinal transplantation in the event of progressive intestinal failure-associated liver disease, progressive loss of central vein access, and repeated life-threatening central venous catheter-associated infections requiring critical care. Additional indications for transplantation include large desmoid tumors and other intra-abdominal tumors with reasonable expectation of posttransplant cure, extensive mesenteric vein thrombosis and intestinal infarction, total intestinal aganglionosis, and nonrecoverable congenital secretory diarrhea. Quality of life typically improves after successful intestinal transplantation and may support the decision to proceed with transplantation when other indications are present. However, the requirement for life-long immunosuppression and its associated side effects preclude intestinal transplantation if motivated only by an expectation of improved quality of life. Increasing experience with intestinal transplantation and critical appraisal of transplant outcomes including graft survival and patient quality of life together with potential advances in immunosuppression can be expected to influence transplant practices in the future.

A Scoping Review of Key Health Items in Self-Report Instruments Used Among Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

The overall aim of this scoping review of the literature is twofold: (1) to provide an overview of all instruments that have been used to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after solid organ transplantation and (2) to provide a list of health items they include to support future studies on the development of a new-generation HRQoL instrument. All studies that administered any form of HRQoL instrument to post-transplant solid organ recipients were identified in a comprehensive search of PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase, and Web of Science, with a cut-off date of May 2018. The search used various combinations of the following keywords: lung, heart, liver, kidney, or pancreas transplantation; quality of life; well-being; patient-reported outcome; instrument; questionnaire; and health survey. In total, 8013 distinct publications were identified and 1218 of these were selected for review. Among the instruments applied, 53 measured generic, 51 organ-specific, 271 domain-specific, and 43 transplant-specific HRQoL. A total of 78 distinct health items grouped into 16 sub-domains were identified and depicted graphically. The majority of publications did not report a logical rationale for the choice of specific HRQoL instrument. The most commonly used types of instruments were generic health instruments, followed by domain-specific instruments. Despite the availability of transplant-specific instruments, few studies applied these types of instruments. Based on the 78 items, further research is planned to develop a patient-centered, transplant-specific HRQoL instrument that is concise, easy to apply (mobile application), and specifically related to the health issues of solid organ recipients.

Life of patients 10 years after a successful pediatric intestinal transplantation in Europe

A multicenter Europe-wide single-point study in intestinal transplantation (ITx) centers was conducted to identify and describe patients surviving for more than 10 years after ITx in childhood. The health and nutritional status, care requirements and psychosocial status were recorded. Among 120 transplanted before 2005, 38 patients with a functioning graft were included. Thirty (79%) had an exclusive oral diet, seven (18%) complimentary enteral nutrition for eating disorders, and one a combination of parenteral and enteral nutrition. They received a median of five drugs daily and five had a stoma. We did not observe any catch-up growth during the 10 years of follow-up. In the previous five years, 22 patients needed unplanned hospitalization with a median in-patient stay of six days. Eleven needed ongoing psychiatric follow-ups, and nine needed other specialist follow-ups. An increasing independency from parents was seen after the age of 18, with three having a stable employment and 31 pursuing education. Despite a good graft function, growth may not catch up. The burden of medical care remains high in the long term. This has to be closely followed in a multidisciplinary setting to improve long-term quality of life in these patients.

Pre-emptive Intestinal Transplant: The Surgeon's Point of View

Pre-emptive transplantation is a well-established practice for certain types of end-organ failure such as in the use of kidney transplantation. For irreversible intestinal failure, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) remains the gold standard, due to the suboptimal long-term results of intestinal transplantation. As such, the only role for pre-emptive transplantation, if at all, will be for patients identified to be at high risk of complications and mortality while on definitive long-term TPN. In these patients, the timing of early listing and transplantation could become life-saving, taking into account that mortality on the waiting list is still the highest for intestinal candidates. The development of simulation models or pre-transplant scoring systems could help in selecting patients based on potential outcome on TPN or with transplantation, and recent reports from high-volume centers identify few underlying pathologic conditions and some TPN complications as at higher risk of increased morbidity and mortality. A pre-emptive transplant could be used as a rehabilitative procedure in a well-selected case-by-case scenario, among TPN patients at risk of liver failure, repeated central line infections, mesenteric infarction, short bowel syndrome (SBS) <50 cm or with end stoma, congenital mucosal disease, desmoid tumors: These conditions must be carefully evaluated, not to underestimate the clinical stage nor to over-estimate the impact of a temporary situation. At the present time, diseases with a variable and unpredictable course, such as intestinal dysmotility disorders, or quality of life and financial issues are still far from being considered as indications for a pre-emptive transplant.