Objective To discuss the cause and prevention of bacterial translocation after small bowel transplantation (SBT). MethodsMost of the existing literatures concerning bacterial translocation and SBT were reviewed. ResultsThe ischemia/reperfusion injury, graft rejection, graft versus host disease (GVHD) and administration of immunosuppressive drugs were associated with the gut barrier damage, intestinal mobility and transmit dysfunction and luminal potentially pathogenic bacterial overgrowth after SBT which caused the germs and toxin to translocate into recipient tissues, and posed a major threat on the development of sepsis. Conclusion The rate of bacterial translocation after SBT is higher than that of other types of solid organ transplantation,which is the main cause of recipient sepsis affecting the outcome of SBT. Improving the surgical techniques, shortening ischemia preservation time, selective bowel decontamination and improving the methods of nutritional support and immunosuppression would decrease the incidence of bacterial translocation and sepsis, and improve the outcome of SBT.