Abstract
BackgroundThus far, no ideal substitutions have been developed for completely replacing the extrahepatic bile duct (EHBD). MethodsWe used a bioabsorbable polymer tube (BAPT) for the complete reconstruction of an EHBD in pigs. A 2-cm-long EHBD was resected from the duodenal side, and a 4-cm-long BAPT graft was implanted at that site. The animals were re-laparotomized at 1 or 4 months after the grafting; subsequently, gross, histological, and blood chemical studies were performed. ResultsAt 1 month after grafting, tubular structure was observed in all resected specimens, and the lumen of the graft site had remnants of degraded BAPT. Gross examination at 4 months after grafting revealed that the BAPT had been completely absorbed, and the graft site was indistinguishable from the native extrahepatic bile duct. The lengths of the graft region at 4 months were 70% of the replaced BAPT. Simultaneously performed histological examination revealed the growth of a neo-bile duct at the graft site, with an epithelium identical to that of the native bile duct. ConclusionThe BAPT graft implanted in this study completely replaced the EHBD defect. Hence, BAPT has the potential for application as a novel treatment modality for hepatobiliary diseases.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
