ULTRASTRUCTURAL MUCOSAL APPEARANCE IN THE ILEAL NEOBLADDER

Methods: 15 patients with heal neobladder underwent endoscopic biopsy at different postoperative intervals. The specimens were analyzed by e lectron microscopy in order to evaluate the evolution of the mucosal c hanges ultrastructurally. Results: No significant change was observed 3 months after the operation. After 6 months, the number and height of the microvilli were reduced, the cell borders crooked and the termina l web upset. After 12 months disappearance of the glycocalyx, increase d lysosomal features, increased activity of the muciparous cells, roun ded mitochondria and loss of the polarized disposition of the cytoplas mic organelles were detected in the enterocytes. We observed no other substantial change after 24 months and more. Conclusions: Progressive modifications occur in the cytoplasmic structures involved in the abso rptive process. They do not seem to begin before 3 months and are almo st totally completed after 1 year.