[Animal experiment studies of pedicled small intestine transplantation as partial extrahepatic bile duct replacement]

A pedicle graft of the jejunum can in some cases enlarge a bile duct stricture. The enlargement of the patch and its consequences on the liver function are possible problems. In an animal experiment the following questions were sought. 1) Is a partial replacement of the bile duct with a pedicle graft of small bowel possible? 2) Is there an enlargement of the patch in every case and what are the consequences on the biliary tract and on liver function. The experiments were performed on 14 minipigs over a long-term observation period of 450 days. The red and white blood cell count, the GPT, GOT, GPT, bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase and copper were checked monthly. After 2, 6 and 12 months the intra- and extrahepatic biliary tract were visualized via a PTC. After 8 months an angiography of the pedicle graft was performed. 15 months later the animals were killed and the bile duct, the graft and the liver were histologically examined. 1) With a pedicle graft of small bowel a partial replacement of the extrahepatic bile duct is possible. 2) An enlargement of the patch is seen in every case. The enlargement is a consequence of tension at the pedicle. After 15 months no morphological changes were observed at the patch nor were there any irregularities in liver function.