A simple intestinal cannula for swine.

A T-cannula was designed for placement in the gastrointestinal tract of pigs used for nutritional studies. It was made from available and inexpensive polyvinylchloride plumbing fittings. The main advantages of the cannula are (1) light weight (32 g), (2) good tolerance by the animals, (3) short projection from the body wall, (4) minimal leakae, and (5) patency for several months. The caudal part of the ilea of ten pigs was cannulated with satisfactory results. Macroscopic alterations of the gastrointestinal tract were not observed when the animals were euthanatized.