Effectiveness of denuding the intestinal mucosa by submucosal injection in the porcine model.
OBJECTIVE
Lack of mucosal regrowth on denuded bowel segments is considered a prerequisite for successful grafting of cultured urothelial cells for bladder augmentation. This study was designed to establish a technique for clean and complete de-epithelialization of the intestinal mucosa.


METHODS
A segment of the small bowel was isolated in six microminipigs. The isolated segment was detubularized and the submucosa injected with HEPES-buffered saline, elevating the mucosa from the underlying tissue and allowing removal with ease. One portion was resected and, along with a portion of the removed mucosa and a sample of the full-thickness bowel, submitted for histologic evaluation. Another portion of the bowel segment remained denuded while the final denuded segment was covered with polyglactin mesh. After 3 days, 1 week, and 3 weeks, specimens from each of the bowel segments were collected for histologic assessment. Immunoperoxidase labeling was performed to confirm the presence or absence of mucosal regrowth.


RESULTS
All intestinal segments showed no mucosal regrowth at the 3-day, 1-week, and 3-week incubation periods. Minimal reaction between the denuded bowel segment and the mesh was evident in all of the pigs.


CONCLUSIONS
In the porcine model, intestinal mucosa can be removed completely using submucosal injection. This technique may be useful in future clinical studies involving bladder augmentation using denuded bowel.
Section of Urology, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, California 94304, USA.
I J
IJ
Liu
A M
AM
Lee
M K
MK
Terris
D000818:Animals; D007267:Injections; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000601:surgery*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods; D013556:Swine, Miniature