The value of intestinal myotomy and myectomy in improving the reservoir capacity of the endorectal pull-through.

In laboratory models of massive small bowel resection and colectomy, intestinal myotomy has been shown to decrease stool frequency and malabsorption. Using physiologic and anatomic parameters of gastrointestinal function, we assessed the ability of three types of ileal myotomies to improve outcome after total abdominal colectomy, mucosal proctectomy, and endorectal pull-through (ERPT) without an enteric reservoir. Twenty puppies underwent ERPT. These dogs were randomly assigned to three experimental groups or a control group consisting of animals without a myotomy. The myotomies were performed by excising the serosa and muscularis propria of the ileal wall in three different patterns. There was no difference between any of the groups with respect to general health, postoperative weight gain, stool frequency, intestinal transit time, water absorption, electrolyte absorption, barium enemas, neorectal capacity and dimensions, and histology.