Regeneration of mesenteric lymphatic vessels in a new experimental model of orthotopic intestinal transplantation in rats.

A new experimental model of orthotopic intestinal transplantation was performed using microsurgical techniques in rats; the physiological flow of blood, lymph, and food was reconstructed. Regeneration of mesenteric lymphatic vessels, which plays an extremely important role in lipid absorption of the transplanted intestine, was studied by mesenteric lymphangiography. Regeneration of mesenteric lymphatic vessels was first confirmed on the seventh postoperative day by mesenteric lymphangiography, and favorable regenerative patterns, without obstruction, were observed on the 32nd, 58th, and 93rd postoperative days.