The effect of chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil, bleomycin and cisplatin in the healing of colonic anastomoses in rats.

PURPOSE: Chemotherapeutic factors are known to affect healing on the postoperative patient. The aim of the present experimental study was to evaluate the effect of intraperitoneal infusion of 5-fluorouracil, bleomycin and cisplatin on the healing of colonic anastomoses in rats.

METHODS

Forty Albino-Wistar male rats were randomly divided into two groups, a control and a chemotherapy (CT) group. In both, an end-to-end colonic anastomosis was performed. collagen, In the control group, 2cc saline was administered intraperitoneally during the operation and daily postoperatively until the sacrifice. In the CT group, rats were administered a solution of 5-fluorouracil (20mg/kg b.w.), bleomycin (4mg/kg b.w.) and cisplatin (0.7 mg/kg b.w.) in an amount of 2cc intraperitoneal intraoperatively and afterwards daily postoperatively until the seventh postoperative day when they were sacrificed. At sacrifice, adhesion presence was calculated and the anastomoses were resected and macroscopically examined. Bursting pressures were calculated and histological features were graded. Hydroxyproline concentrations were evaluated.

RESULTS

No deaths or wound infections were observed until sacrifice. Bodyweight was significantly decreased in the CT group (p=0.005). Bursting pressures (p=0.001) were significantly lower in the chemotherapy group, whereas adhesions were significantly increased (p=0.001). Hydroxyproline concentrations were not significantly different (p=0.401). All histological parameters appeared significantly decreased in the CT group: inflammation (p<0.008), neoangiogenesis (p<0.001), and fibroblast activity (p=0.001) and collagen deposition (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The use of chemotherapeutic agents had negative effects on the healing process of colonic anastomosis in rats. The decreased inflammatory response depicts in more frequent anastomotic dehiscence, ruptures and bodyweight loss postoperatively.

KEY WORDS: Adhesion, Bursting pressure, Collagen, Hydroxyproline, Inflammation, Neoangiogenesis.