A tribute to the late Dr. Ryo Shimazu: a chronic bowel allograft model in the rat

A chronic model of bowel allotransplantation is described. End-to-end microvascular anastomosis between superior mesenteric vessels was utilized. The recipient splenic vein was preserved to avoid postoperative pancreatitis. Euro-Collins solution was used to flush the vasculature in the lumen of the transplant. Low-dose cyclosporine was used for immunosuppression. With experience, 89% long-term survival was achieved.