Asia's first intestine transplant, between twin sisters, was successful, Xijing Hospital announced on Tuesday in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province.

Zhao Qingchuan, head of the operation team, told China Daily that the operation was conducted on May 4 with more than 50 doctors and nurses in his hospital.

The patient, a 45-year-old resident of Xi'an, suffered from small intestine and colon necrosis (dying tissue) which left only 14 cm of small intestine, a fortieth for a normal person and was unable to eat.

"The patient maintained life by nutrient solution injection and the only way to save her life was by transplant," Zhao said.

Fortunately, the patient had a twin sister who could provide part of her small intestine without fear of rejection by the body.

Doctors took out 160 cm of small intestine from the elder sister and transplanted it to the patient.

Six days after the operation, the patient was able to eat and move around the ward.