The end-to-end ileo-rectal anastomosis technique, after complete resection of the large intestine, was accomplished in 13 Large White x Landrace crossbred pigs, weighing about 15kg and 67 days of age, under halothane anesthesia in a semi-closed circuit. The laparotomy consisted of left paramedian incision, along with and close to the prepucial sheath, followed by a midline incision. The large intestine was released from its conections with the small intestine and mesentery up to the lateral ligaments of the bladder. The ileum and rectum were sectioned as close as possible to the ileocecal valve and at 10-12cm of the anal sphincter, respectively. The ligatures of the mesenteric vessels were done in mass, at 2-3 cm intervals. After removing the large intestine, the ileo-rectal anastomosis was accomplished by Swift-like suture using silk thread n° 0, at 2-3mm from the borders with the knots positioned into the lumen of the organ. The ileo-rectal anastomosis following resection of the large intestine in young swines is technically feasible, allowing the animals survival, during the entire period required for digestibility studies. The suture material and the type of stitches permitted adequate union of the intestinal borders of the anastomosis and they were helpful to compensate for small differences between the diameters of the ileum and rectum. The resection of the large intestine induced remarkable morphological and functional intestinal adaptations and the dilatation of the distal segment of the small intestine was the most significant macroscopic finding. The animals showed underdevelopment as well as reduced body weight, despite the fact they were totally adapted to the new physiologic conditions.
Swine; large intestine; small intestine; ileo-retal anastomosis; digestive system
