Permanent bile duct cannulation in the monkey. A model for studying intestinal absorption.

Our aim has been to obtain an experimental model where the test animal is subjected to the least amount of stress and restraint, and can serve for the repeated sampling of biliary excretion over a prolonged period of time. By using a special end-piece at the outer terminals of the two cannulas the monkeys could be given full freedom after experimentation. During the course of the study it was found that insertion of the cannula into the common bile duct led to the development of collateral pathways for passage of bile around the point of insertion. This adaption reaction for the restoration of a normal bile channel would seem to be characteristic of Rhesus monkeys, for we did not encounter it in similar experiments on dogs and minipigs. The experimental model described is intended to serve for the determination of intestinal absorption of compounds that are mainly excreted via the bile. Results with radioactive ergotamine are presented.