Fast-track surgery and exclusive enteral nutrition applied to a rat model of heterotopic intestinal transplantation.

The present study applied fast-track surgery (FTS) concepts and exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) to a rat model of heterotopic intestinal transplantation (HIT). A total of 96 pairs of Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly distributed into three groups, as follows: i) The conventional group (group 1); ii) the FTS group (group 2); and iii) the FTS with EEN group (EEN group). FTS alterations to the HIT protocol were as follows: i) The use of sevoflurane as an anesthetic; ii) alterations to the order of the procedure and iii) a modified suturing technique. In addition, the EEN group rats underwent an early EEN gavage. The operation time, success rate, recovery state and morphological characteristics of the grafts were compared among the groups. The average operative time was significantly decreased in the group 2 and EEN group rats (137.44±16.03 and 139.67±15.25 min, respectively), as compared with the group 1 rats (169.36±13.72 min; P<0.05). In addition, the percentage of rats surviving >14 days was significantly increased in the group 2 (87.5%) and EEN group (90.6%) rats, as compared with the group 1 rats (68.7%; P<0.05). Furthermore, the villi of graft in EEN group appeared longer, and exhibited narrower interspaces. The ischemia-reperfusion injury and mononuclear cell infiltration were attenuated at postoperative day 7. The results of the present study suggested that the application of FTS concepts and EEN gavage to HIT may accelerate recovery and ameliorate graft damage following surgery.