An experimental swine model of small bowel cross transplantation.
OBJECTIVE
In this study we evaluated the possibility of performing a cross small bowel transplantation (CrSBTx) in which, at the same time, 2 pigs were both donors and later recipients of intestinal grafts. The hemodynamic and metabolic impact of this original transplantation model on the animals was determined.


METHODS
Ten large White adult female pigs underwent a 2 stage procedure. The principal intraoperative hemodynamic and metabolic parameters were measured at different times during the operation. In the 3 days that followed the operation, renal function, liver and pancreatic damage were investigated.


RESULTS
Our surgical model permits us to keep excellent hemodynamic and metabolic stability with low mortality.


CONCLUSIONS
The need of half of animals with respect to conventional models represents an ethical and economic advantage of CrSBTx and we propose it for intestinal transplant studies in large animals.
Department of Surgical and Gastroenterological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy. sommarivamd@interfree.it
A
A
Sommariva
R
R
Behboo
C
C
Ruffolo
M
M
Scarpa
B
B
Termini
M
M
Barollo
A
A
Ghaemian
P
P
Carraro
D F
DF
D'Amico
D000818:Animals; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006439:Hemodynamics; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000637:transplantation*; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors; D014019:Tissue Donors