Toxicity of materials used in indwelling drains or catheters has the potential to damage surrounding tissues. The biocompatibility of biliary T-tubes was investigated using in groups of piglets (total 30 animals). In group 1 (n=16) a choledochotomy was performed with insertion of a latex T-tube (n=6) or a silicone T-tube (n=8), or without a T-tube (n=2). In group 2 (n=14) the common bile duct (CBD) was 3/4-transected, and the lesion was sutured over a latex T-tube (n=4) or a silicone T-tube (n=5), or without a T-tube (n=5). The groups were reoperated upon after 2 and 6 weeks respectively, and the CBD was harvested for scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy. The T-tubes were examined for cell culture toxicity with a DNA synthesis inhibition test. According to the cell culture tests, latex T-tubes were toxic and silicone T-tubes nontoxic. T-tubes induced moderate to pronounced fibrosis and epithelial damage in the CBD wall, but did not induce excessive fibrosis or scarring at the site of CBD suture. In the 6-week study period, however, the grade of tissue reactions in the CBD did not correlate with the toxicity of the T-tube materials, but rather reflected a foreign body reaction and mechanical pressure. Although gross anatomical changes did not occur, neither material seemed to be completely harmless for porcine CBD wall.

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A controversy still exists on whether the liver changes to a lactate producer during hemorrhagic shock. Considerable disagreement has been reported on the question whether crystalloids or colloids should be used when treating hemorrhagic shock. The present study tries to clarify both questions, using an animal shock model. Severe arterial hypotension after hemorrhage in pigs was corrected with infusion of blood or a crystalloid or a colloid solution. The liver did not seem to produce lactate at any stage of the shock level, but during early retransfusion it changed transiently to a lactate producer. Later during the resuscitation period, the correction of arterial hypotension seemed to be unstable and the correction of acidosis incomplete after crystalloid infusion compared to transfusion or colloid substitution.