Compensatory opportunities of the small intestine after extensive distal and proximal resection (experimental study)
Resection of certain parts of the small intestine is common in clinical practice for various diseases and traumatic injuries. The significant decrease in bowel functioning leads to the development of a specific “short bowel syndrome” (SBS). There is an opinion that the remaining parts of the intestine after resection perform a compensatory function as a result of the development of morphological changes in the intestinal wall. Histological examination of the intestinal wall with evolved compensatory changes is of undoubted interest from the scientific and clinical point of view. Material and Methods To create the experimental model of SBS, 107 laboratory Wistar male rats were used, weighing 500-600 g, which underwent resection with removal of 1/2 or 2/3 of the small intestine length in proximal or distal parts. The observation period for the animals was 1, 2, 4 and 6 months. Upon expiration of indicated dates, samples of the small intestine and liver were taken from rats for autopsy to be used for histological examination. At the indicated terms, the animals had signs of SBS (diarrhea, weight loss), as well as morphological changes in the intestinal mucosa. Results and Conclusion According to the results of the study, we concluded that the loss of 1/2 the length of the small intestine is overcome without consequences, and the loss of 2/3 of its length, especially of its proximal part, is accompanied by a longer period of adaptation and more significant morphological alteration of the mucosa, which has to perform not only digestion, but also absorption.