What is Intestinal Transplant?
Intestinal transplant is a life-saving surgery for patients with severe intestinal failure, where the intestine is no longer able to absorb sufficient nutrients. This failure is often caused by conditions like short bowel syndrome, severe Crohn’s disease, congenital defects, or trauma. The surgery replaces the damaged intestine with a healthy donor intestine—typically from a deceased donor.
There are different types of intestinal transplants:
- Isolated Small Bowel Transplant – replaces only the small intestine.
- Combined Liver-Intestine Transplant – for patients with both liver and intestinal failure.
- Multivisceral Transplant – includes other organs like the stomach and pancreas along with the intestine.
The surgery usually lasts 6–12 hours, involves complex vascular reconstruction, and requires advanced post-operative care.
Why Choose India for Intestinal Transplant?
India offers a compelling blend of world-class transplant expertise and significantly lower costs, making it a preferred destination for complex procedures like intestinal transplant. The following advantages make India ideal:
- Expertise in rare and complex transplants like multi-visceral and combined liver-intestine transplants.
- Renowned hospitals such as Apollo Hospitals, Fortis Healthcare, and Medanta, equipped with dedicated transplant ICUs and international patient services.
- Internationally trained surgical teams using advanced techniques including organ preservation and minimally invasive approaches (in select cases).
- High-quality post-transplant care with advanced immunosuppressive protocols and low complication rates.
- Affordability: The cost in India starts from USD $50,000, far lower than in the US or Europe.
While availability is limited to select centers, these institutions offer outcomes comparable to global standards.
Cost & Duration Summary
Average Cost in India: USD $50,000 – $70,000
Hospital Stay Required: 4 – 6 weeks
Post-Treatment Stay in India: 2 – 3 months (for recovery, monitoring)