What is a fecal transplant?
Fecal transplant is a procedure that takes processed fecal matter from a healthy donor and implants it in the bowel of a patient with an acute or chronic bowel disease or disorder, with the aim or restoring the proper balance of beneficial that play a critical role in the health of the colon and the digestive system. Patients requiring fecal transplants typically have had their own colonies of helpful microorganisms suppressed or destroyed by the long-term use of antibiotics, which enables harmful bacteria like Clostridium difficile, or C. diff, to take hold. People with C. diff infections often suffer from debilitating and even life-threatening bouts of diarrhea. Fecal transplants have also been used in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive and autoimmune diseases.
How is fecal transplant performed?
Fecal transplant begins with a sample of fecal matter taken from a screened and healthy donor. The material is processed and mixed with a solution like saline to make implantation easier. Once the solution is prepared, it's introduced to the patient's colon through a simple, minimally-invasive procedure like colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy or enema.
Is fecal transplant a new process?
No; in fact, fecal transplants were first documented in the first century BCE in China. It has been widely used in veterinary medicine for over a century, and around the world, fecal transplants have been used for decades to treat patients suffering from an array of digestive and bowel-related conditions. It has been used in the U.S. since the 1950s, but only recently received FDA classification as an investigational new drug (IND) and a biologic. That means only a very few providers, including our practice, are licensed to offer fecal transplant procedures.
Is fecal transplant safe?
Yes, only healthy, screened donors are used for the collection of fecal matter, and all donated samples are carefully prepared prior to implantation.
