Surgical management of short bowel syndrome by construction of an isoperistaltic intestinal valve: an experimental study in dogs.

Objective: To develop of an isoperistaltic invaginated valve for the treatment of short bowel syndrome.

Design: Randomised experimental study

Setting: University Hospital, Greece

Material: 8 mongrel dogs

Intervention: 90% resection of the small bowel, followed by construction of an invaginated valve one month later.

Main Outcome Measures: weight loss, fat excretion in the faeces, radiographic and histological examination of the valve, pressure curve along the valve.

Results: Weight loss and steatorrhoea were reversed over a period of 2-3 months without evidence of intestinal obstruction in any of the animals.

Conclusions: The construction of an isoperistaltic invaginated valve could be a solution to the management of the short gut syndrome.