title: Tissue-engineering repair of extrahepatic bile ducts.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In recent years, with the widespread use of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and liver transplantation, complications involving the biliary system are increasing. All techniques available have a high risk of recurrence or high-morbidity problems. We developed a three-dimensional collagen duct modified with agarose hydrogel, to substitute the affected extrahepatic bile duct.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used it in 40 guinea pigs and studied the histology and physiology at 4 wk, 3, and 6 mo after transplantation. Blood test, histologic techniques, and cholangiography were performed in all of them.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All experimental animals survived up to their sacrifices. Our graft showed highly potential applications to treat hepatobiliary diseases that require surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Surgery, University of Granada, Granada, Spain. apma85@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Alejandro José
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Pérez Alonso
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Del Olmo Rivas
authors.forename: Ignacio Machado
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Romero
authors.forename: Francisco Javier
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Cañizares Garcia
authors.forename: Pablo Torne
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Poyatos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001649:Bile Duct Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D017734:Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic / Q000601:surgery*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002417:Cattle; D003094:Collagen; D005782:Gels; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D023421:Models, Animal; D012685:Sepharose; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D005782:Gels; D003094:Collagen; D012685:Sepharose