Microbiologic efficacy of a surgically constructed nipple valve

The efficacy of a surgically constructed nipple valve in preventing reflux of colonic bacteria into the small bowel was evaluated. The nipple valve significantly decreased the number of S. marcescens, a marker bacterium, in the small bowel when compared with plain ileocolic anastomosis. In this study, the nipple valve prevented the reflux of bacteria similar to an intact ileocecal valve which suggests that the nipple valve is an effective bacteriologic barrier and may be used as a substitute for the ileocecal valve in patients with short bowel syndrome.