The Pathological Basis of Intestine Malfunction after Operation of Congenital Intestinal Atresia

Objective: To evaluate the pathological reason of intestine malfunctions after operation of congenital atresia and discuss its clinical significance. Methods: Immunohistochemical stainings for antibody c-kit, Neurtrophin-3(NT-3), tyrosine kinase-C(Trk-C), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neurofilament (Nf) were performed on small intestine in patients with congenital intestinal atresia(n=13) with comparison of normal intestine. Results: The expressions of NT-3, Trk-C and Nf were significantly lower in intestinal atresia group than that of normal intestine, however, the expression of GFAP was higher in intestinal atresia group compared to that of the normal group. The expressions of NT-3 and Trk-C were normal at the site of 8 cm away from the blind-ending. Cajal cells were also expressed normally at 11 cm from the blind-ending. Conclusion: The intestine malfunction after operation may due to the loss of Cajals, anglia and axonal injury in the myenteric plexus.