In order to evaluate the possible effects determined by combined body segmental gastrectomy and proximal gastric vagotomy on the arterial vascularization of the lesser curvature of the stomach, twenty-four dogs. weighing 10 to 20 kg, were divided into two groups of 12 animals each: Group 1, animals were submitted to laparotomy and gastric manipulation for 30 minutes; Group II, animals were submitted to segmental gastrectomy with proximal gastric vagotomy. In each group, six animals were sacrificed on the third postoperative day and six on the eighth postoperative day. Neither death nor other postoperative complications occurred. On the sacrifice day barium-gelatin contrast was injected into the arterial vascularization of the stomach, which was then removed from the animal, opened along the greater curvature, fixed in formalin and submitted to radiographs. The intensity of the vascularization of the lesser curvature of the stomach was determined by microdensitometric and molphometric study. By means of microdensitometry. values of the optical densities were determined of the radiograph image of the lesser curvature of the stomach. Considering the microspectrophotometry principies. the values of the optical densities converted in aluminum equivalent were directly proportional to the intensity of vascularization of the gastric lesser curvature. The analysis of the obtained microdensitometry data revealed mean values of optical densities significantly more intense in group 11, when compared to group 1 (p<0.001). On the basis of the morphometric study of the histologic fragment of the lesser curvature, it was observed that: a) the mean arteriole volumes, relative to total submucosa volumes, were significantly greater in group 11 than in group 1 (p<0.001); b) the mean values of the arterioles diameter of the submucosal of group 11 were significantly larger than in the group 1 (p<0.001); c) there was no change in the number of arterioles per mm2 of the submucosal between the two groups (p>0.05). Therefore. it was found an increased intensity of the arterial vascularization of the lesser. The increased vascularization was consequence of arteriole dilatation of the submucosal layer.
Segmental gastrectomy; PGV; Vascularization of the lesser curvature