IN VIVO TISSUE ENGINEERING OF THE COMMON BILE DUCT USING SMALL INTESTINAL SUBMUCOSA IN A CANINE MODEL

Abstract

Purpose) Many kinds of biological and synthetic materials have been applied as interposed grafts of the common bile duct (CBD) with limited success. Small intestinal submucosa (SIS) is an extracellular matrix used in tissue engineering. We evaluated the effectiveness of SIS on bile duct reconstruction with a canine model. Materials and methods) In adult beagle dogs, the gall bladder and a 1-cm segment of the CBD were excised through midline laparotomy. The CBD defect was reconstructed with an interposed SIS tube, and the reconstructed site was wrapped with the omentum. A plastic tube (π2.5mm) was inserted via the cystic duct into the reconstructed site to secure patency at all times. Follow up continued to 3 months. Results) All the animals survived after operation without jaundice. At autopsy the bile duct regenerated, but the regenerated duct showed contraction and its length became shorter than that of initial reconstructed site. Histologically there was evidence of epithelium migration into the luminal surface of the SIS graft. In addition, a well vascularized connective tissue layer was present under the mucosa. There was no evidence of foreign body reaction to the graft material. At 3 months, minimal inflammation was noted around this regenerated area. Conclusions) These results indicate that a SIS graft might be promising for use as a scaffold for the bile duct tissue engineering.