Med center’s small bowel transplant program the nation’s busiest

Logan Thomas, 3, was one of 36 people to receive a small bowel transplant last year at UNMC’s hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center. The hospital’s small bowel transplant is the nation’s busiest.

The intestinal transplant program at UNMC’s hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center, was one of the first of its kind in the nation when it began in 1990. Today, it is the busiest.

In 2007, 36 small bowel transplants were performed at The Nebraska Medical Center, that’s more than any other center in the United States. Twenty-nine of the small bowel transplants were performed on children and seven were done on adults.

Small bowel transplantation is considered a final option for patients who require life-long use of parenteral nutrition (intravenous feedings) and have developed complications.

“The Nebraska Medical Center is one of the largest and most comprehensive programs for small bowel transplantation in the world,” said Alan Langnas, D.O., professor of surgery at UNMC and director of the transplant program at The Nebraska Medical Center. “We have a remarkable team of experts and dedicated health care professionals.”

Rebecca Thomas, mother of 3-year-old Logan Thomas, agreed.

“You just don’t find a better team anywhere else,” she said.

Logan received her small bowel transplant in May of 2007.

“We spent two years fighting the ‘in and out’ cycle of hospital visits,” Rebecca Thomas said. “When I finally had enough, I began to research medical centers and found The Nebraska Medical Center. I knew this is where we had to go for our care.”

The Thomas family made the trip from their home in Florida and spent two weeks at The Nebraska Medical Center for an evaluation. During their stay, the medical center staff helped to correct Logan’s immediate health problems and listed her for a small bowel transplant.

“The transplant team at The Nebraska Medical Center went above and beyond,” Rebecca Thomas said. “When we left, I really felt that they had saved Logan and we had found the right place for Logan’s care.”

The family moved to Nebraska to be close to the team of experts at The Nebraska Medical Center.

“Our program provides a multi-disciplinary approach to intestinal failure,” Dr. Langnas said. “We offer a variety of services and give patients focused and customized care. We also have excellent non-transplant therapies and continue to expand the depth and breadth of these therapies available for intestinal failure.”

For Logan Thomas, the small bowel transplant at The Nebraska Medical Center has changed her life.

“The transplant team at The Nebraska Medical Center went above and beyond. When we left, I really felt that they had saved Logan and we had found the right place for Logan’s care.” Rebecca Thomas, mother of 3-year-old transplant recipient, Logan Thomas

“We have had our ups and downs since surgery, however we have much to celebrate,” Rebecca Thomas said. On May 18, they will celebrate Logan’s one year anniversary post-transplant.

“I am so glad we came to Nebraska,” Rebecca Thomas said. “Logan is just so comfortable with the staff and they value my opinions and treat me with respect and compassion. If we had gone home I don’t know if she would even still be alive. I couldn’t have asked for a better hospital or a better team.”

The Nebraska Medical Center’s Small Bowel Transplant Program is one of only 10 in the nation. Surgeons have conducted more than 250 small bowel transplants since the program began in 1990.