Use of a new elastin patch and glue for repair of a major duodenal injury

Major duodenal injury with significant tissue loss causes high morbidity and mortality. Our new elastin based heterograft combined with small intestinal submucosa (SIS) and biodegradable glue could be used for repair of such defects. Twenty-four domestic pigs were anesthetized and underwent celiotomy. A 2 cm circular defect was created at the second portion of the duodenum with scissors, excising one-half of its circumference. Our elastin patch, combined with SIS, was applied to cover the defect using biodegradable cyanoacrylate glue and a few sutures. It was then covered with omentum. Animals were followed by weight gain, endoscopic evaluation, and upper GI barium studies. After 2-5 months, animals were sacrificed to obtain specimens. One failed in 3 days due to a technical problem, and one failed in 20 days due to an abdominal abscess. The other 22 animals (22/24, 91.7%) did well, gaining weight. Early endoscopic studies (5-14 d) showed an intact patch. Upper GI studies showed varying degrees of stenosis at the repair site at 3-4 months. Sacrifice after 2-5 months showed complete healing of the defect and a dissolved patch. Our new elastin patch material provides a reliable barrier for repair of duodenal injury, and the biodegradable glue provides quick and easy watertight tissue fusion for our patch.