Abstract
Background: Serial transverse enteroplasty (STEP) lengthens and tapers dilated bowel. Redilation of the STEP segment occurs in some patients with intestinal failure. The feasibility of a repeat STEP procedure in a pig model is evaluated. Methods: Six pigs underwent reversal of an intestinal segment distal to the ligament of Treitz. At 6-week intervals after reversal, each animal had 2 STEP procedures on the bowel proximal to the reversed segment. Necropsy was performed up to 6 weeks after repeat STEP. Results: Bowel length increased by 11.3 ± 3.9 cm and bowel diameter decreased from a mean of 5.3 ± 0.8 to 1.8 ± 0.4 cm (P < .0001) after the first STEP. After repeat STEP, bowel length increased by 16.7 ± 13.3 cm (P < .01), and the bowel was tapered from a mean of 5.4 ± 0.9 to 2.2 ± 0.4 cm (P < .01). Five pigs did well after repeat STEP, and 1 pig had early necropsy for bowel obstruction. None had histologic evidence of bowel ischemia in the repeat STEP segment. Conclusions: A second STEP operation is feasible in a pig model and may be considered to optimize bowel length and function in select patients with intestinal failure.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1951-1956 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Pediatric Surgery |
Volume | 41 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2006 |
Keywords
- Bowel dilation
- Bowel lengthening
- Intestinal failure
- STEP
- Serial transverse enteroplasty
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health