Tissue expanders in the gut: a histological and angiographic study.
A study to assess the effects of an intraluminally placed tissue expander in the rabbit jejunum was performed. Oval expanders (8 cm3) were placed via a midline coeliotomy through an enterotomy on the antimesenteric border of the jejunum. The reservoir was tunnelled subcutaneously through the abdominal wall. Expansion was carried out through this port at 7-10-day intervals using 0.5-cm3 increments. At the end of the experiment, angiography was performed and routine haematoxylin and eosin-stained sections were produced. Angiography revealed an increase in vessel diameter and vascular density of the specimen. Histology showed an increase in villi size, an increase in the number of goblet cells and a marked increase in the thickness of the muscular layer. The possible applications of this technique are discussed.
Narayan
D
D
Institute for Craniofacial and Reconstructive Surgery, South Field, Michigan 48075.
Castro
A
A
Jackson
I T
IT
Herschman
B
B
D000818:Animals; D006984:Hypertrophy; D007583:Jejunum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011817:Rabbits; D011859:Radiography; D012778:Short Bowel Syndrome / Q000601:surgery; D015625:Tissue Expansion Devices