Mechanical Lengthening of Porcine Small Intestine With Decreased Forces
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Read the article on jpedsurg.org ↗Article · Mar 2021 · 1 min read
In brief
In brief
Experimental study demonstrates that intraluminal nitinol springs with forces as low as 0.10 N can significantly lengthen porcine small intestine segments over 7-14 days, offering a potential mechanical treatment for short bowel syndrome. Lower forces than previously tested still induced intestinal lengthening and structural changes, suggesting a less invasive approach to distraction enterogenesis may be feasible.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.
Abstract
Introduction
short bowel syndrome is marked by inadequate intestinal surface area to absorb nutrients. Current treatments are focused on medical management and surgical reconfiguration of the dilated intestine. We propose the use of spring-mediated distraction enterogenesis as a novel intervention to increase intestinal length. Given our previous success lengthening intestinal segments using springs with spring constant ~7 N/m that exerts 0.46 N or higher, we sought to determine the minimal force needed to lengthen porcine small intestinal segments, and to explore effects on intestine over time.
Methods
Juvenile Yucatan pigs underwent laparotomy with enterotomy to introduce nitinol springs intraluminally (n = 21 springs). Bowel segments (control, spring-distracted) were retrieved on post-operative day (POD) 7 and 14, and lengths measured. Thickness of cross-sectional intestinal layers were measured using H&E, and submucosal collagen fiber orientation measured using trichrome stained sections.
Results
all pigs survived to POD7 and 14. Spring constants of at least 2 N/m exerting a minimum force of 0.10 N significantly lengthened intestinal segments (p <0.0001). The stronger the spring force, the greater the induced thickness of various intestinal layers at POD7 and 14. Collagen fiber orientation was also more disordered because of stronger springs.
Conclusion
a spring constant of approximately 2 N/m exerting 0.10 N and greater significantly lengthens intestinal segments and stimulates intestinal structural changes at POD7 and 14. This suggests a decreased force is capable of inducing spring-mediated distraction enterogenesis.