CHANGES IN COLONIC MOTILITY IN DOGS AFTER A RESECTION OF THE INFERIORMESENTERIC GANGLION AND PLEXUS

In a curative resection for advanced sigmoid or rectal cancer, an exte nsive dissection of the regional lymph nodes is generally required. Th is often necessitates the removal of the autonomic nerves around the i nferior mesenteric artery. The present study was done in an attempt to clarify the influence of a neurectomy around the inferior mesenteric ganglion and plexus on the motility of the colon, in eight dogs, we re sected the ganglion and plexus around the inferior mesenteric artery, together with an implantation of strain gauge force transducers in var ious parts of the colon, and 7-10 days later, colonic motility was exa mined. The percentage of contractile states and contractile forces inc reased at both the distal colon in fasting dogs, as well as at the mid dle colon in the late postprandial period. At the distal colon, contra ctile forces were noted in the early and late postprandial periods. Th ese contractile abnormalities at the middle and distal colon may thus explain the frequent bowel movements or diarrhea often observed after extensive surgery in patients with sigmoid or rectal cancer.