A technique of duodenal cannulation in sheep

A single T-shaped duodenal cannula was developed for sheep. The cannula was molded in one piece from a rigid silicone elastomer and inserted into the proximal duodenum of sheep via a 2 cm incision on the antimesenteric side of the intestine. A dacron surgical mesh was connected to the barrel of the cannula. The intestine was wrapped with dacron mesh material. Recovery from surgery was rapid and animals consumed feed and water within a week. No digesta leakage was noticed in sheep. Intestinal blockage and reduced motility did not seem to be a problem based on the feed consumption records. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.