The Roles of Intraluminal Chyme and Vasomotor Response in the Pathogenesis of Non-occlusive Intestinal Infarcts

The purpose of this study is to clarify the role of intraluminal chyme and the splanchnic vasomotor reaction on the pathogenesis of non-occlusive intestinal infarcts. In 5 mongrel dogs, 3 types of intestinal loops were created. A cervical loop, which is a heterotopic autotransplant of a segment of intestine, contains no chyme and is disconnected from the splanchnic innervation. A Thiry-Vella loop simultaneously constructed in the abdomen is also devoid of intraluminal chyme, but is still innervated. The intestine-in-continuity possesses both splanchnic innervation and intraluminal chyme. Hemorrhagic shock was then induced and the morphological response of the three types of intestine examined. The results indicate that the cervical loop is least damaged, whereas both the Thiry-Vella loop and the intestine-incontinuity are both severely damaged. It is concluded that in the non-occlusive hemorrhagic infarction of the intestinal mucosa, the peculiar splanchnic vasomotor response plays the dominant role. The pathogenesis of non-occlusive intestinal infarcts and its clinical implications are discussed.