[Microvascularization of the liver in vagotomy]

Sub-diaphragmatic truncal vagotomy produces early and late changes in the microvascular network of the liver. Bilateral sub-diaphragmatic truncal vagotomy was performed experimentally in the dog. After 7 days, 60 days and 2 years, the animals were subjected to laparotomy under general anaesthetic and China ink was injected into the aorta above the coeliac trunk. Samples were then taken from the hepatic parenchyma to be examined under the photomicroscope. The following early modifications were observed: absence of the injection in the central and intermediary zones of the lobe, stasis in the centro-lobular vein. These modifications are also present at 60 days. After 2 years, there is an improvement in the hepatic microcirculation, but modifications of micro-irrigation are still present.