Absorption of carbohydrates and vitamins in the preserved and transplanted small intestine.

A significant impairment in the intestinal absorption of D-xylose and vitamin A was observed in the first weeks after preservation and transplantation of the whole small bowel. Functional recovery was only observed in long-term survivors, usually transplanted dogs that lived more than five weeks. There was no impairment in the absorption of vitamin B12. Only prolonged survivors showed low normal limits of vitamin B12.