A novel system for small bowel preservation--cavitary two-layer (University of Wisconsin solution/perfluorochemical)...

Organ preservation is very important to accomplish successful organ transplantation. Unlike the kidney, liver, pancreas or heart, the preservation method of the small bowel has not been established yet. In this study, we tested 24-48hr-preservation of rat small bowel by a cavitary two-layer (University of Wisconsin solution (UW)/perfluorochemical (PFC)) cold storage method (two-layer method (group 1)) in heterotopic rat segmental small bowel transplant model, and compared it with simple cold storage method in UW (group 3). In an attempt to clarify that the oxygenation of the graft by the two-layer method allows for 48hr-preservation, a cavitary two-layer method without oxygen bubbling (group 2) was also examined. The 7 day survival rates after 24hr-preservation were 100%, 67% and 86% for group 1, 2 and 3, respectively. On the other hand, the 7 day survival rates for group 1, 2 and 3 after 48hr-preservation were 86%, 20% and 0%, respectively. Histological studies of grafts preserved by the two-layer method (group 1) for 48hrs on the 7th day posttransplant showed almost normal architecture of the intestinal mucosa. This study demonstrated that the oxygenation of the small bowel during preservation by the cavitary two-layer method using UW allows for 48hr-preservation of rat small bowel. This method is simple and reliable and holds promise for clinical small bowel transplantation.