Survival of transferred intestinal segments after vascular pedicle interruption

Rat intestinal segments with intact vascular pedicles were transferred from the abdominal cavity into the subcutaneous space. After 30 days, the vascular pedicle was severed. The intestinal segments, now completely dependent on wound neovascularization, survived completely. We conclude that early survival of intestinal transfers requires perfusion through the vascular pedicle. With time in a favorable bed, new vessel ingrowth from the recipient wound into the intestinal segment provides adequate circulation so that the vascular pedicle can be safely divided with no ill effect or at most a minor mucosal slough which quickly heals. Further clinical opportunities are necessary to determine the time course for these phenomena in humans.