A light and scanning electron microscope study of the albino rat ileum after partial obstruction

Induction of an obstruction could be resorted to as a definitive line of management in some cases of short bowel syndrome (SBS). The goal of this study has been to elucidate histological and morphometric alterations in the albino rat ileum after surgically induced partial obstruction.

Thirty adult male albino rats (240-250 g) were used in this investigation. They were divided into two equal groups: control and experimental. Small pieces of the ileum of the control and experimental animals were processed for histological and scanning electron microscope study.

The ileum of the experimental animals proximal to the site of obstruction showed an apparent enlargement in the Peyer's patches and an increase in the thickness of both the mucosa and muscle layers. The villi showed significant elongation and thickening. Both widening and deepening of the crypts were detected. There was an apparent increase in the goblet cell number and lymphocytic infiltration in both the corium and submucosa. In scanning electron microscopic examination, the microvilli showed scattered areas of shortening and irregular orientation. The surface was more frequently interrupted by goblet cell orifices.

Partial ileal obstruction resulted in hypertrophy of the ileal wall with considerable structural alterations oral to the obstruction site. Thus, the procedure apparently increased the absorptive surface area together with reduction in the speed of intestinal transit. These effects could support taking this technique into consideration as one of the suggested lines of treatment of some cases of SBS to eliminate the patient's need for parenteral nutrition and all of its associated complications.