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Updated: May 17, 2026
Orthotopic Small Bowel Transplantation in Rats
Published on: November 6, 2012
[Technical aspects of experimental intestinal transplant]
S López-Fernández1, F Hernández, S Hernández-Martín
1Departamento de Cirugía Pediátrica, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid. slopezf.hulp@salud.madrid.org
Purpose:
Our objective is to analyze the variables that influence the outcome of Small Bowel Transplantation (SBT) in rats in an experimental microsurgery program. The surgical technique and perioperative care are described in detail.
Methods:
Retrospective study of the SBT in rats conducted in our experimental surgery laboratory from 2002 to 2010. The animals were divided into group A (those who survived more than 48 hours) and group B (those who died earlier without justificable cause). We compared in both groups: number of transplants performed by the surgeon, warm ischemia time, cold ischemia time and duration of the procedure.
Results:
Five surgeons with different degrees of microsurgical training participated in the study. A total of 521 SBT were performed with an overall survival of 48%. The first successful transplant was performed after a median of 46 (25-68) transplants. Total procedure time (3.5 vs 2.9 hours) and warm ischemia time (51 vs 35 minutes) were higher in group B (p < 0.05).
Discussion:
The number of transplants required for learning the technique is high. However, survival is acceptable when the time needed for vascular anastomosis is reduced. The SBT in rats is a valuable model for surgical training and research of the phenomena related to SBT.
