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Vascular anatomy of the small intestine—a comparative anatomic study on humans and pigs

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International Journal of Colorectal Disease Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Porcine models are well established for studying intestinal anastomotic healing. In this study, we aimed to clarify the anatomic differences between human and porcine small intestines. Additionally, we investigated the influences of longitudinal and circular sutures on human small intestine perfusion.

Methods

Intestines were obtained from human cadavers (n = 8; small intestine, n = 51) and from pigs (n = 10; small intestine, n = 60). Vascularization was visualized with mennige gelatin perfusion and high-resolution mammography. Endothelial cell density was analyzed with immunohistochemistry and factor VIII antibodies. We also investigated the influence of suture techniques (circular anastomoses, n = 19; longitudinal sutures, n = 15) on vascular perfusion.

Results

Only human samples showed branching of mesenteric vessels. Compared to the pig, human vessels showed closer connections at the entrance to the bowel wall (p = 0.045) and higher numbers of intramural anastomoses (p < 0.001). Porcine main vessels formed in multifilament-like vessel bundles and displayed few intramural vessel anastomoses. Circular anastomoses induced a circular perfusion defect at the bowel wall; longitudinal anastomoses induced significantly smaller perfusion defects (p < 0.001). Both species showed higher vascular density in the jejunum than in the ileum (p < 0.001). Human samples showed similar vascular density within the jejunum (p = 0.583) and higher density in the ileum (p < 0.001) compared to pig samples.

Conclusion

The results showed significant differences between human and porcine intestines. The porcine model remains the standard for studies on anastomotic healing because it is currently the only viable model for studying anastomosis and wound healing. Nevertheless, scientific interpretations must consider the anatomic differences between humans and porcine intestines.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany

    Nick Butz, Marcel Binnebösel, Natascha Charalambakis, Volker Schumpelick, Uwe Klinge, Ulf P. Neumann & Carsten J. Krones

  2. Department of Vascular Surgery, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany

    Klaus-Thilo von Trotha & Jochen Grommes

  3. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany

    Georg Mühlenbruch

  4. Applied Medical Engineering, Helmholtz Institute RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany

    Uwe Klinge

  5. Institute of Anatomy, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

    Andreas Prescher

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  1. Klaus-Thilo von Trotha
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  2. Nick Butz
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  3. Jochen Grommes
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Correspondence to Klaus-Thilo von Trotha.

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von Trotha, KT., Butz, N., Grommes, J. et al. Vascular anatomy of the small intestine—a comparative anatomic study on humans and pigs. Int J Colorectal Dis 30, 683–690 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-015-2163-4

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