Short bowel syndrome: Experimental approach to increase intestinal surface in rats by gastric homologous acellular matrix

Background/Purpose: In this preliminary work the authors used homologous acellular matrix obtained by the gastric wall to increase the small bowel surface in Sprague-Dowley rats; through this experimental model the authors verified that homologous acellular matrix can support cell migration and the reconstruction of the intestinal wall. Methods: A tract of about 2 cm of tubular gastric acellular matrix was inserted with bilateral anastomosis in an isolated ileal loop, which was located in endoabdominal position through a short subcutaneous tunnel. Twelve animals were analyzed at each of the time-points ranging from 1 to 6 weeks after surgery. Results: Histologic evaluation showed that the implanted matrix can be reintegrated in the normal small bower in a period ranging between 3 and 6 weeks from surgery. The implanted matrix was organized with 4 different tonacae from the third week after the surgery, with out interruption at the site of the anastomosis. Conclusions: To date, the authors do not have a demonstration of the function of the ileal loop reconstructed with this technique; based on these results the authors are engaged in an experimental trial of restoration of intestinal viability with the ileal prosthesis after 3 weeks to study its function. J Pediatr Surg 35:1304-1308. Copyright (C) 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.