Protein digestion and absorption after massive small bowel resection.

The digestion, absorption, and intestinal propulsion of a 14C-labeled protein meal were examined in rats with a 70% proximal small bowel resection at one and at six weeks after surgery. In addition, rats were studied one week after 70% small bowel resection plus ileocecal valve bypass. Comparison with sham-operated controls showed no significant impairment of digestion or absorption of the protein meal in both groups of resected rats. Intestinal transit was measured by a nonabsorbable marker 51CrCl3, and there was no evidence of early appearance of the meal in the colon even in resected animals with ileocecal valve bypass. We conclude that, as early as one week after massive proximal small bowel resection, significant compensatory adaptative and motility changes have occurred, allowing protein digestive and absorptive function to be maintained.