Isolated bowel segment (model 1): creation by myoenteropexy.

A surgical technique to create an isolated bowel segment (IBS) that is completely free of its mesenteric attachment, and yet preserves the viability of IBS is described. The procedure consists of (1) initial myoenteropexy between the abdominal wall muscle and the IBS, and (2) secondary division of the mesentery of the IBS 6 weeks later when the vascular collaterals have formed at the myoenteropexy. The IBS created by this technique is useful for the studies of bowel physiology and possible elongation of the bowel in the management of the short-bowel syndrome.