[Role of the splanchnic nerve in hypotension induced by acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis]

A model of acute suppurative cholangitis with septicemia but without shock was made in 14 rabbits. Fourty-eight hours afterwards, reoperation was performed with the right major splanchnic nerve and right celiac plexus exposed for monitoring. A catheter with an inflatable rubber bag was inserted into the common bile duct via the duodenum for injection with water into the rubber bag to produce a biliary high pressure of 20 kPa, which was subsequently maintained for 2 hours. The right major splanchnic nerve impulse frequency was found significantly increased (P < 0.01). The study shows that the fall of blood pressure or shock in the early stage of acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis is induced predominantly by acute biliary hypertension, and our findings would be complementary to Reynolds' hypothesis of the production of shock.