The Effect of Albumin/Glutaraldehyde Glue (Bioglue) on Colonic Anastomosis Under Intestinal Obstruction: An Experimental Study in Rats.

Background/

Objectives

Healing of colonic anastomoses is critical to surgical recovery, particularly under obstructive ileus conditions. Adhesive biological materials such as albumin/glutaraldehyde glue (Bioglue) show potential in enhancing anastomotic healing and minimizing complications. This study investigates the effect of Bioglue on colonic anastomoses healing under obstructive ileus conditions in rats.

Methods

Eighty albino Wistar rats were divided into control, ileus, Bioglue, and ileus + Bioglue groups (n = 20 each). Subgroups (n = 10) were sacrificed on the 4th or 8th postoperative day. In the control and Bioglue groups, end-to-end anastomoses were performed after colonic resection. In the ileus and ileus + Bioglue groups, obstructive ileus was induced by colonic ligation, followed by resection and primary anastomosis. Bioglue was applied in the Bioglue and ileus + Bioglue groups. Assessments included bursting pressure, peritoneal adhesion and inflammation scores, and biochemical markers (fibroblast activity, neoangiogenesis, collagen deposition, hydroxyproline, and collagenase concentrations).

Results

Bursting pressure and fibroblast activity were significantly higher in the ileus + Bioglue group compared to the ileus group on both postoperative days. Although anastomotic rupture occurred in the ileus and ileus + Bioglue groups, the incidence was not significantly different from the control and Bioglue groups. Ileus + Bioglue showed significantly higher adhesion scores, inflammatory infiltration, neoangiogenesis, and collagen deposition compared to the control and ileus groups. Hydroxyproline was significantly elevated in the ileus + Bioglue group on the 8th day. Collagenase I concentrations were higher in ileus + Bioglue but not significant.

Conclusions

Bioglue application enhances colonic anastomotic healing under obstructive ileus conditions, improving mechanical strength and promoting tissue repair by the 4th and 8th postoperative days. These findings support its potential clinical application.