title: Biocompatibility of latex and silicone T tubes in the porcine common bile duct: an experimental study.
abstract: Toxicity of materials used in indwelling drains or catheters has the potential to damage surrounding tissues. The biocompatibility of biliary T-tubes was investigated using in groups of piglets (total 30 animals). In group 1 (n=16) a choledochotomy was performed with insertion of a latex T-tube (n=6) or a silicone T-tube (n=8), or without a T-tube (n=2). In group 2 (n=14) the common bile duct (CBD) was 3/4-transected, and the lesion was sutured over a latex T-tube (n=4) or a silicone T-tube (n=5), or without a T-tube (n=5). The groups were reoperated upon after 2 and 6 weeks respectively, and the CBD was harvested for scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy. The T-tubes were examined for cell culture toxicity with a DNA synthesis inhibition test. According to the cell culture tests, latex T-tubes were toxic and silicone T-tubes nontoxic. T-tubes induced moderate to pronounced fibrosis and epithelial damage in the CBD wall, but did not induce excessive fibrosis or scarring at the site of CBD suture. In the 6-week study period, however, the grade of tissue reactions in the CBD did not correlate with the toxicity of the T-tube materials, but rather reflected a foreign body reaction and mechanical pressure. Although gross anatomical changes did not occur, neither material seemed to be completely harmless for porcine CBD wall.
authors.affiliation: Fourth Department of Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koivusalo
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Makisalo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Talja
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cormio
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ruutu
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wolff
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hockerstedt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000633:toxicity; D003135:Common Bile Duct / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004322:Drainage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D007840:Latex / Q000633:toxicity; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012828:Silicones / Q000633:toxicity; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D007840:Latex; D012828:Silicones