Early morphologic changes in the intestine following massive resection of the small intestine and parenteral nutrition therapy.

Following massive resection of the small intestine, including the ileocecal valve in seven adult mongrel dogs, the remaining 20 centimeters of the proximal part of the jejunum was anastomised to the midtransverse portion of the colon. All dogs were given parenteral nutrition for four weeks. Six weeks after resection, the dogs underwent reexploration, and gross and microscopic examinations of the remaining part of the jejunum were carried out. Grossly, there was a 29.5 per cent increase in the length and a 31 per cent increase in the circumference of the intestine. Microscopically, there was a 23 per cent increase in the depth of the crypts, a 21 per cent increase in the number of villi and a 22 per cent increase in the width of the villi. No change was observed in the height of the villi.