Influence of the colon in liver regeneration of rats submitted to hepatectomy and colectomy.

Objective: to evaluate whether colectomy, associated with 70% hepatectomy, influences liver regeneration in rats.

Methods: we distributed 18 Wistar rats in three groups of six animals each. In group I (sham), we performed laparotomy; In group II, colectomy + 70% hepatectomy; In group III, only 70% hepatectomy.