Modified technique for combined liver-small bowel transplantation in pigs.
OBJECTIVE
As the conventional combined liver-small bowel transplantation is complicated with many postoperative complications, the aim of this study was to describe a modified technique for the combined liver-small bowel transplantation with preservation of the duodenum, partial head of pancreas and hepatic biliary system in pigs.


METHODS
Composite liver/small bowel allotransplantations were undertaken in 30 long-white pigs. The graft included liver, about 3 to 4 m proximal jejunum, duodenum and partial pancreatic head. Vessels reconstructions included subhepatic vena cava-vena cava anastomosis, aorta-aorta anastomosis and portal-splenic vein anastomosis.


RESULTS
Without immunosuppressive treatment, the median survival time of the animals was 6 days (2 to 12 days), and about 76.9 % (20/26) of the animals survived for more than 4 days after operation.


CONCLUSIONS
The modified technique is feasible and safe for the composite liver/small bowel transplantation with duodenum and pancreas preserved in pigs. And also this technique can simplify the operation and decrease possible postoperative complications.
Yin
Zhen-Yu
ZY
Research Institute of General Surgery, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Jiangsu Province, China. davidmd@sohu.com
Ni
Xiao-Dong
XD
Jiang
Feng
F
Li
Ning
N
Li
You-Sheng
YS
Li
Jie-Shou
JS
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000637:transplantation; D004386:Duodenum / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000379:methods; D007583:Jejunum / Q000637:transplantation*; D008297:Male; D016035:Pancreas Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D034421:Sus scrofa; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000601:surgery