Isolated bowel segment created by omentoenteropexy: histologic findings.

An isolated bowel segment (IBS) is a viable loop of bowel that is completely free of its mesenteric attachments. In this study, omentoenteropexy (OEP) was performed in 5-cm-long IBS of rats in order to provide neovascularization. Thirty-two rats were divided into four groups. After OEP, mesenteric division of the IBSs was performed at successive 1 week intervals in each group (3-6 weeks). The bowel-wall structures were histologically examined 2 days after division of the mesentery. Ischemic changes were observed in the group in which the interval was shorter than 4 weeks. In the IBSs that were supplied by the pediculated omental 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 rat when its mesentery is divided 4 weeks after OEP. Physiological studies of motility and absorption can be performed and longitudinal tubularization may enable such an IBS to be used in short-bowel syndrome.