Colonic motility in the postoperative period.

The effect of a laparotomy on postoperative motility in the colon has been studied in dogs. Movement has been recorded by an electrical impedance method each day after a standard laparotomy. Mean values of movement in the descending colon were reduced, not abolished, for 3 days after operation (preoperative: 34.0%; day 1: 17.9%; day 2: 22.1%; day 3: 23.9%). In contrast, there was no reduction in motility in the transverse colon but a rise in activity on the first postoperative day (preoperative: 39.1%; day 1: 63.3%). It is concluded that a laparotomy does not abolish colonic movement postoperatively and that there is a reduction which affects the distal colon for 3 days.