Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and results of using serosal patch of small bowel for repair and replacement of inferior vena cava (IVC) after resection of a part of infra-renal IVC in an animal model, as it may be encountered in extensive tumors of retroperitoneal and trauma patients.
Methods: Five healthy sheep of both sexes were prepared. After general anesthesia and laparotomy, a defect with 1 cm width and 4cm length was made on anterior aspect of infra-renal IVC, and then an adjacent loop of small bowel was brought and sutured continuously to cover the defect of IVC as a patch graft.