Effect of barium sulfate on wound healing in the gastrointestinal tract of the rat.

PURPOSE: To study the effect of barium sulfate on wound healing in the gastrointestinal tract of the rat.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Sixty rats weighing approximately 320 g were divided into four groups: Fifteen control rats had gastric, small-bowel, and colonic incisions; 15 rats had gastric incision; 15 rats had small-bowel incision; and 15 rats had colonic incision. Barium sulfate was placed into the incision before closure in all rats except those in the control group, and the effects were documented clinically and histopathologically for 3 months. Autopsy was performed in five rats from each group at 1, 4, and 12 weeks. The incisions in the rats receiving barium sulfate were compared with those in the control rats.

RESULTS

There was no difference in the clinical course (weight gain, activity, and viability) between the control and experimental groups. Early and late autopsy findings and histopathologic grading of healing and inflammatory response were similar for both the control and experimental groups.

CONCLUSION

Under the conditions of this study, the effect of barium sulfate on visceral transmural wound healing in the gastrointestinal tract of the rat was minimal.