Electron microscopic changes of the intestinal mucosa following truncal vagotomy

Ultrastructural changes on the mucosa of the jejunum and ileum after truncal vagotomy were studied in the dog. Tests performed 2, 3, 7 and 10 days, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 weeks as well as 4, 5, 6, 9 and 12 months after vagotomy showed no significant changes in the epithelial cells. The microvilli, smooth and rough surface endoplasmic reticulum, the free iebosomes and the terminal web area were completely intact. In some cells a swelling of the mitochondria was observed. It is concluded that vagotomy causes no such morphological changes of the intestinal mucosa which could explain postvagotomic diarrhoea.