EXPERIMENTAL MEGAILEUM

Typical megaileum occurred in young male Wistar rats three months afte r ileum myenteric plexus denervation. An average of 58.4% denervation of the Auerbach plexus was obtained by serosal application of benzalko nium chloride (0.2% v/v). Denervation was assessed by ganglion cell co unts in an 8 nm ring-shaped histological sectfrom the midportion of th e treated segment. A morphometric study showed that the increased thic kness of the megaileum wall was due to muscle hypertrophy and mucosal hyperplasia. The potential usefulness of this model of megaileum is em phasized.