The nipple valve as a sphincter substitute for the ileocecal valve: prevention of bacterial overgrowth in the small bowel.

We evaluated the bacteriologic effect of a nipple valve substitute for the ileocecal valve in a canine model. Resection of the ileocecal valve and the distal 40% of the jejunoileum with end-to-end anastomosis was carried out in 10 dogs. In five of the dogs chosen randomly, a nipple valve was constructed at the anastomosis; in the remainder , a two-layer jejunocolostomy was formed. Microbiologic samples were taken at operation in the ascending colon and at three sites in the small intestine before resection and at reoperation 4 weeks later. These revealed a dramatic increase in anaerobic bacteria in the distal jejunum following jejunocolostomy without valve insertion but no increase following jejunocolostomy with nipple valve. There was a seven-log difference between the two groups in the mean anaerobic bacterial counts (P less than 0.05) measured 60 cm proximal to the anastomosis at the second operation. Results of aerobic cultures were similar but less dramatic. We conclude that construction of a nipple valve jejunocolostomy prevents anaerobic bacterial colonization of the proximal small bowel and may therefore be useful in the treatment or prevention of short bowel syndrome.