[Clinical response of different colonic segments to chemical denervation: an experimental study]

An experimental study in rats with chemical myenteric plexus destruction of different segments of large intestine is presented. Forty Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g were used. Four groups of ten animals each were made. Group I: control; group II: myenteric denervation of 4 cm segment of rectosigmoid; group III: myenteric denervation of 4 cm segment of descending colon; group IV: myenteric denervation of 4 cm segment of transverse colon. Myenteric denervation was produced by serosal application of 0.1% benzalconium chloride during 30 minutes. Animals were evaluated by clinical parameters (survival, weight change, food intake, nutritional state), radiological (barium enema) and histomorphometry. Group IV showed the greatest mortality, nutritional deterioration and colonic obstruction while the results of group II are similar to control group.