Aim: In this study we evaluated the possibility of performing a cross small bowel transplantation (CrSBTx) in which, at the same time, 2 pigs were both donors and later recipients of intestinal grafts. The hemodynamic and metabolic impact of this original transplantation model on the animals was determined.
Methods: Ten large White adult female pigs underwent a 2 stage procedure. The principal intraoperative hemodynamic and metabolic parameters were measured at different times during the operation. In the 3 days that followed the operation, renal function, liver and pancreatic damage were investigated.
Results: Our surgical model permits us to keep excellent hemodynamic and metabolic stability with low mortality.
Conclusion: The need of half of animals with respect to conventional models represents an ethical and economic advantage of CrSBTx and we propose it for intestinal transplant studies in large animals.