Application of NADH tetrazolium reductase reaction in perioperative biopsy of dysganglionic large bowel.

A reaction for NADH tetrazolium reductase was used to demonstrate the presence of ganglion cells in myenteric plexus during dysganglionic bowel operations in 24 patients. The advantages of this method are the quick preparation of an incubation medium, a short incubation time and the good demonstration of ganglion cells. It was possible to determine the extent of the aganglionic and prominently hypoganglionic parts of the bowel and in this way achieve improved results. The NADH tetrazolium reductase reaction can be recommended for the perioperative biopsy of a dysganglionic bowel.