Mucosal destruction and regeneration of the colon by local hyperthermia. An experimental preliminary study.

An experimental model has been developed to produce colonic mucosal destruction followed by regeneration. The canine model consists of a defunctioned portion of the large intestine which has been subjected to water at a temperature of 125 degrees F for 7 hours. Colonic specimens were harvested at different periods of up to six weeks and studied macro- and microscopically. It has been shown that it is possible to achieve significant mucosal destruction and regeneration. Possible adaptation to clinical states is presented and discussed.