Preservation injury to the human small bowel graft: jejunum vs. ileum

Early postoperative complications after small bowel transplantation (SBT) including endotoxemia, bacterial translocations, and stimulation of the recipient's immune response have been attributed to preservation injury. Small intestine is notoriously sensitive to ischemia and there is still no general agreement as to which segment of the small bowel is preferred (jejunum or ileum) for clinical use.

In our study, using light microscopy and concentrations of tissue serotonin-positive cells we sought to identify the part of the human intestine, which is more resistant to preservation injury sustained by HTK preservation solution with 1-24 hr cold ischemia time.

Statistical analysis of both parameters did not reveal any significant differences between the jejunum and ileum.

Judging by our data, there is no difference between jejunal and ileal grafts in susceptibility to ischemic injury due to cold ischemia within 24 hours when using HTK preservation solution. Significant difference was observed in histological pictures only after 12-hour of cold ischemia time in both experimental groups (jejunum and ileum).