Healing of colon anastomoses covered with fibrin glue after immediate postoperative intraperitoneal administration of 5-fluorouracil.

PURPOSE: The aim of this experimental study was to investigate whether covering the colonic anastomoses with fibrin glue can protect the colonic healing from the adverse effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), when it is injected intraperitoneally immediately after colon resection. METHODS: Sixty-four rats were randomized to one of four groups. After resection of a 1-cm segment of the transverse colon, an end-to-end sutured anastomosis was performed. Rats of the control group and the fibrin glue group were injected with 6 ml of solution 0.9 percent NaCl intraperitoneally. Rats in the 5-FU and the 5-FU + fibrin glue groups received 5-FU intraperitoneally. The colonic anastomoses of the rats in the fibrin glue group and in the 5-FU + fibrin glue group were covered with fibrin glue. All rats were killed on the 8th postoperative day and the anastomoses were examined macroscopically. The bursting pressure measurements were recorded and the anastomoses were graded histologically. RESULTS: The leakage rate of the anastomoses was significantly higher in the rats of the 5-FU group than in those of the fibrin glue group and those of the 5-FU + fibrin glue group (37.5 percent vs. 0 percent, P = 0.020). The adhesion formation score was significantly higher in rats of the 5-FU group than in the other groups. Bursting pressures were also significantly lower in the 5-FUgroup than in the other groups ( P < 0.001). Rats in the 5-FU + fibrin glue group developed significantly more marked neoagiogenesis than rats in the other groups. Rats in the 5-FU + fibrin glue group also presented significantly more fibroblast activity than those in the 5-FU group. ( P = 0.004) CONCLUSIONS: The immediate postoperative, intraperitoneal administration of 5-FU inhibited wound healing. However, when the colonic anastomoses were covered with fibrin glue, the injection of 5-FU had no adverse effects on the healing of the anastomoses.

Management of bile duct injury during and after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Bile duct injury (BDI) is perhaps the most feared complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Proper management of iatrogenic BDI is mandatory to avoid immediate or later life-threatening sequelae. The results of surgery depend mainly on the type of injury, prompt detection of the injury, and timing of the surgery. METHODS: Twelve patients with BDI after LC were treated. Eight of them were referred to our institution for further treatment. The follow-up evaluation was focused on clinical outcome and biochemical analysis. RESULTS: Five of the patients had minor BDI with leakage. In all of them, the BDI was recognized postoperatively. Two of these patients were managed by endoscopic retrograde cholongio pancreatographic sphincterotomy and stent placement. The other three patients underwent open laparotomy and bile duct ligation. Seven of the patients had major BDI. In two patients, biliary injuries were identified at the time of LC, and the procedure was converted to laparotomy. At the time of conversion, primary suture repair with T-tube drainage of the injured bile duct was performed. Strictures developed in these patients after 2 and 6 months, respectively, and they were treated with a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. In five additional patients, BDI was recognized postoperatively. One of these patients died because of delayed detection of biliary peritonitis. At this writing, during a median follow-up period of 52 months, neither clinical nor biochemical evidence of biliary disease has been found in the remaining patients. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic BDI has a high morbidity and mortality rate. Late recognition of the BDI remains a problem.

Effects of lanreotide on the healing of small bowel anastomoses following obstructive ileus in rats.

PURPOSE: Lanreotide, a long-acting somatostatin analogue, inhibits intestinal, bile and pancreatic secretions and decreases intestinal motility. The purpose of this experimental study was to evaluate the effects of lanreotide on the healing of intestinal anastomoses following small bowel obstruction. METHODS: Two groups of 16 Wistar rats (average weight 310 g) were used. Basal diameters of ileus were measured prior to the ligation of the bowel, 15 cm from the ileocecal valve. Luminal fluid was also withdrawn proximal to the obstructed bowel for sodium and potassium analysis. Lanreotide was administered intramuscularly in a single dose (5.4 mg/kg) in the first group, while the same volume of saline was used in the control group. 48 h later rats were re-operated upon. Diameters of the obstructed segments were measured, and luminal fluid of the obstructed bowel was withdrawn and sodium and potassium levels were measured. A segment of 1 cm of the obstructed bowel was resected and end-to-end intestinal anastomosis was performed. Rats were sacrificed on day 7 following the second operation. Anastomoses were examined macroscopically and resected including a 2.5 cm of small bowel on either side. Bursting pressures were measured and the specimens were send for histological examination. RESULTS: The diameter of obstructed bowel increased significantly in both groups. The increase was more prominent in the control group (P < 0.001). Total luminal electrolyte contents for sodium and potassium were stastistically higher in the control group compared to the lanreotide group (P < 0.001). Adhesion formation was more extensive in the control group. Bursting pressures were significantly higher in the lanreotide group compared to the control group (P=0.003). Histological examination of anastomoses showed a more profound inflammatory reaction in the control group compared to the lanreotide group while microscopical healing of the anastomoses was almost the same in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Lanreotide administration in rats with small bowel obstruction decreases significantly distension and electrolyte losses and seems to improve strength of small bowel anastomoses.

Sutureless colonic anastomosis in the rat: a randomized controlled study.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of glue tissue on the healing of colonic anastomosis in rats. Two groups of 20 Wistar rats each were used. Following laparotomy, a segment of 1 cm of the colon was resected, 10 cm from the ileocecal valve. In the control group, the anastomosis was sutured in a single layer with 6-0 polypropylene interrupted extramucosal sutures. In the glue group, the anastomosis was performed by using 2-octyl cyanoacrylate (Dermabond, Ethicon). Rats were sacrificed on day 7 following operation. Integrity of the anastomoses, existence of perianastomotic abscess or peritonitis, and adhesion formation were recorded. Anastomoses were resected including a 2.5-cm of bowel on either side. Bursting pressures were measured and the specimens were sent for histological examination. Anastomotic dehiscence occured in 20% of the animals in each group. Adhesion formation was more extensive in the glue group compared to the control group, but this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.074). Bursting pressures of the anastomoses between the two groups were not statistically significant (p=0.897). The wound healing process, as assessed by inflammatory cell infiltration, blood vessel neodevelopment, collagen deposition and fibroblast activity, did not differ statistically between the two groups (p>0.05). In conclusion, 2-octyl cyanoacrylate provides, under experimental conditions, a sutureless anastomosis equal in healing to the conventionally sutured one. The outcome may differ under demanding clinical situations.