Partial gastrectomy concurrent with enterectomy in a rat model : an evaluation of sub-clinical electrolytes and haematological complications

Abstract EN

Gastro-oesphageal reflux, oesophagitis, stricture formation, haemorrhage, infection, anastomotic failure, herniation, hematoma, short bowel syndrome and nutritional deficiencies are the post-surgical complications reported to be associated with partial gastrectomy (PG) and enterectomy (E).

In this study, we evaluated the effects of PG performed concurrently with E on haematology and electrolytes of Wistar rat model.

20 Wistar rats (191.08 ± 19.58g), 5 in each group, were randomized into groups: A (Control), B (partial gastrectomy alone, PG), C (enterectomy alone, E), and D (gastrectomy performed concurrently with enterectomy, PG & E).

All rats were sacrificed on 14th day post-surgery.

Serum and blood samples were collected and evaluated for electrolytes and haematological changes, respectively.

We observed significant reduction in sodium ion (Na+) (p < 0.05) as well as potassium ion (K+) (p < 0.01) 14 days after PG & E when compared with E.

There was a significant elevation in Red Blood Cells (RBC), Haemoglobin (Hb) and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) without significant differences in Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH) and Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) post PG & E when compared with PG and those that underwent E.

A significant increase in platelets post PG & E was observed when compared with control and those that underwent E (p < 0.01).

In conclusion, post-surgical hyponatraemia, hypokalaemia, polycythaemia and reactive thrombocythaemia were sub-clinical complications consistent with partial gastrectomy performed concurrently with enterectomy.