Laparoscopic intracorporeal harvest of jejunal tissue for autologous transplantation

Our goal in this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of performing an intracorporeal laparoscopic jejunal harvest. The initial technique was developed and refined in a pig and then a dog model. In the animal studies, careful dissection of the jejunal flap with its feeding vessel was accomplished along with an intracorporeal anastomosis. The laparoscopic dissection was facilitated by temporarily anchoring the jejunal flap to the anterior abdominal wall and transilluminating the mesentery. We present the first case report of a patient who underwent a laparoscopic jejunal harvest, intracorporeal small bowel anastomosis, and a microvascular anastomosis in the neck for reconstruction of the laryngopharynx.