The effect of reversed jejunal segments on the myoelectrical activity of the small bowel

Short reversed jejunal segments increase intestinal transit time clinically. In view of the correlation between motility and myoelectrical activity, we have investigated the effect of jejunal reversal and transection on the latter in 10 mongrel dogs. There is a significant decrease in the basic electrical rate in and below both transected and reversed jejunal segments. There is a 3 per cent incidence of retrograde electrical activity within a transected segment and a 24 per cent incidence in the intestine distal to it. In reversed segments the incidence of retrograde activity is 60 per cent within the reversed segment and 61 per cent in the jejunum distal to it.