ISOLATED BOWEL SEGMENT CREATED BY OMENTOENTEROPEXY - HISTOLOGIC-FINDINGS

An isolated bowel segment (IBS) is a viable loop of bowel that is comp letely free of its mesenteric attachments. In this study, omentoentero pexy (OEP) was performed in 5-cm-long IBS of rats in order to provide neovascularization. Thirty-two rats were divided into four groups. Aft er OEP, mesenteric division of the IBSs was performed at successive 1 week intervals in each group (3-6 weeks). The bowel-wall structures we re histologically examined 2 days after division of the mesentery. Isc hemic changes were observed in the group in which the interval was sho rter than 4 weeks. In the IBSs that were supplied by the pediculated o mental flap for 4 or more weeks no ischemic changes were noted in the mucosa, muscle layers, or intramural ganglia. We conclude that an IBS that preserves normal bowel structures can safely be created in the ra t when its mesentery is divided 4 weeks after OEP. Physiological studi es of motility and absorption can be performed and longitudinal tubula rization may enable such an IBS to be used in short-bowel syndrome.