Segmental pancreatic autotransplantation in the pig.

The pig has been considered unsuitable for experimental pancreatic transplantation. In order to develop a model for segmental transplantation, the vascular anatomy was studied in 41 pigs. No variation in venous drainage of the pancrease was found. In contrast, 3 variations of arterial supply were noted. In 29 of the pigs (71% [95% confidence limits 64-84]), 1 main pancreatic artery to the body and tail of pancreas arose from the splenic artery about 1-2 cm from its origin from the coeliac trunk (type 1). In 6 pigs (14.5%, 6.5-29.2), 1 main pancreatic artery emerged from the splenic artery very close to its origin from coeliac trunk (type 2). In 6 pigs (14.5%, 6.5-29.2), the only pancreatic artery supplying the body and tail of pancreas came from the common hepatic artery (type 3). Taking the vascular anatomy into account, 37 pigs were totally pancreatectomized and autotransplanted segmentally. The graft consisted of the body and tail and corresponded to approximately 60% of the entire gland. The pancreatic duct was occluded with neoprene. The left kidney was removed in all animals. In 19 of the grafts, the venous drainage was to the portal vein. In the remaining 18, the renal vessels were used for vascular anastomosis to the graft. The success rate was 68.42% and 72.22%, respectively. The median follow-up was 9 months (3-15). All transplanted pigs were normoglycemic. It is concluded that the pig is suitable for experimental pancreatic autotransplantation studies if the vascular variations are adequately dealt with.