title: Small bowel transplantation in the rat with immediate restoration of intestinal continuity.
abstract: Compared with other rat transplant models, small bowel transplantation (SBT) is associated with higher peritransplant morbidity and mortality. We describe a two-stage technique of SBT in the rat that minimizes perioperative complications and also allows immediate restoration of intestinal continuity. Inbred Lewis strain rats were used as donors and recipients. A one-stage technique was originally adopted whereby the distal 50% of the jejunoileum was transplanted followed by near-total resection of the native small intestine and restoration of intestinal continuity. Among 20 rats transplanted with this technique, only one survived longer than 30 days. With the two-stage technique, transplantation of the donor jejunoileum in continuity was performed, followed by native enterectomy 7 days later. With the two-stage technique 17 of 20 rats survived indefinitely (greater than 50 days). Other important technical modifications are described. In the hands of a skilled microvascular surgeon, the two-stage SBT technique results in consistently improved survival and minimal morbidity.
authors: Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
authors: G H
authors: GH
authors: Moore
authors: A M
authors: AM
authors: Roza
authors: C P
authors: CP
authors: Johnson
authors: G L
authors: GL
authors: Telford
authors: M B
authors: MB
authors: Adams
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D007082:Ileum / Q000637:transplantation; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000637:transplantation*; D007583:Jejunum / Q000637:transplantation; D008297:Male; D008638:Mesenteric Arteries / Q000601:surgery; D008642:Mesenteric Veins / Q000601:surgery; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors