[Experimental study on repair of bile duct defects with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the possibility of repair of the extensive bile duct injuries with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE).


METHODS
A total of 36 local healthy hybrid dogs were employed to establish bile duct injury models by means of partial removal of bile duct (group A, 14 dogs), excision of a segmental duct (group B, 10 dogs), and ligation of the lower part of common bile duct(group C, 5 dogs; group D, 7 dogs). Group A were patched with ePTFE mesh, group B replaced by ePTFE tube. Interposition of the grafts between gallbladder and duedenum or jejunum was performed on group C and group D. The animals' postoperative performance status were evaluated. Cholangiography was used to define the patency of bile ducts. Tissues of bile ducts and liver were taken at 3 days, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 52 weeks for microscopic and ultrastructural examination to observe the healing process of bile duct and morphological changes in the liver.


RESULTS
Group A with ePTFE patch covered by epithelium had a high patency rate of 75%(9/12) and pathological damages were not found in the liver. The patency rate of group B was merely 40%(4/10), to some extent, accompanying damages in the liver. The grafts of group C and group D were fully expelled, ultimately leading to cystic-duodenal or cystic-jejunal fistulas formation.


CONCLUSIONS
The study suggests that application of ePTFE patch to repair bile duct defects is feasible.
Ren
W
W
Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China 400016.
Shi
D
D
D000818:Animals; D002758:Cholangiography; D003135:Common Bile Duct / Q000098:blood supply / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D013524:Surgical Flaps
D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene