Extrinsic reinnervation of the intestine after small bowel autotransplantation in dogs.

I MMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL examination of two failed human small intestinal grafts showed no evidence of extrinsic reinnervation for up to 22 or 8 months whereas intrinsic neural innervation showed only a slight decrease from normal intestine. The mechanisms responsible for this lack of neural input are not known. The purpose of this study was to examine extrinsic reinnervation in canine small bowel autotransplantation (SBT). This model eliminates potential aggravating factors such as rejection and immunosuppressant medications.