title: Preoperative irradiation and colonic healing.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To find out if preoperative irradiation of 10 + 10 Gy influences anastomotic healing in the lower left colon of the rat.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomised study.
  
  
  METHODS
  120 male Wistar rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rats were randomised to be given localised preoperative irradiation or sham treatment 8 and 4 days before a standardised left colon resection. The post-operative course was studied for up to two months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Changes in body weight, white cell count, haemoglobin and albumin concentrations, anastomotic complications, anastomotic breaking strength, hydroxyproline content and myeloperoxidase activity in the anastomotic segment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  General effects of irradiation were seen as delayed increase in body weight and low white cell count. Anastomotic complications were not increased. Anastomotic breaking strength was similar in the early postoperative phase but reduced after 2 months. Hydroxyproline content and myeloperoxidase activity of the anastomotic segments were similar in irradiation and control animals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anastomotic healing was not compromised by preoperative irradiation. Late effects may be present in the bowel wall but further investigation is required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, General Hospital, Malmö, Sweden.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Weiber
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jiborn
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zederfeldt
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000528:radiation effects; D003106:Colon / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006909:Hydroxyproline / Q000378:metabolism; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000528:radiation effects; D008297:Male; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000528:radiation effects*
chemical_list: D006909:Hydroxyproline