Effect of ranitidine on healing of normal and transfusion-suppressed experimental anastomoses.

BACKGROUND

Histamine has been shown to participate in immune response. Wound healing is a process of immune system. This experimental study was done to find the effect of histamine2 receptor antagonist ranitidine on the healing process of intestinal anastomosis in rats.

METHODS

Eighty Wistar rats in four groups of 20 each underwent colon resection and anastomosis. They were given 2 ml saline or blood, twice daily 0.4 ml saline or 0.4 ml saline containing 0.7 mg ranitidine. The animals were killed 3 or 7 days postoperatively and the anastomotic strength assessed by bursting pressure.

RESULTS

The ranitidine group developed fewer anastomotic abscesses (p<0.001). Anastomotic strength was significantly reduced either on day 3 or 7 in animals given blood transfusions (p<0.04, p<0.001), whereas in animals given ranitidine this effect was partially reversed.

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicate that ranitidine has no influence in anastomotic bursting pressure, but has a lower incidence of septic complications.