Comparison of electromagnetic field stimulation on the healing of small and large intestinal anastomoses.
OBJECTIVE
Magnetic fields have been shown to affect biologic processes. Accordingly, an experimental study was designed to investigate the effect of electromagnetic field stimulation on intestinal healing and to compare small and large intestinal anastomoses.


METHODS
An ileal or a colonic anastomosis was constructed in rats. Beginning the day after surgery, randomly assigned groups were exposed to sinusoidal electromagnetic field stimulation of 10.76-mT intensity and 50-Hz frequency, with 2-hour-on/10-hour-off cycles. After seven days, intestinal anastomoses were assessed for hydroxyproline content and breaking strength. Statistical comparison between each experimental and control group yielded significance (P < 0.05) in all cases.


RESULTS
Hydroxyproline content increased significantly in ileum from 1.650 +/- 0.11 (mean +/- standard error of the mean) to 2.036 +/- 0.11 microg/mg (P = 0.0249) and in colon from 1.526 +/- 0.11 to 1.922 +/- 0.11 microg/mg (P = 0.0135). Breaking strength also increased significantly in ileum from 0.213 +/- 0.01 to 0.255 +/- 0.01 MPa (P = 0.001) and in colon from 0.227 +/- 0.01 to 0.270 +/- 0.01 MPa (P = 0.006).


CONCLUSIONS
Electromagnetic field stimulation provided a significant gain in anastomotic healing in both small and large intestine. There were no apparent differences detected between the healing of small and large intestinal anastomoses except for slight differences in the time sequences of events and magnitude. The study demonstrated a significant increase in both biochemical and mechanical parameters. Additional investigations are needed to determine optimal conditions and promote selective biologic responses.
Nayci
A
A
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Mersin University Medical Faculty, PK 33070, Mersin, Turkey.
Cakmak
M
M
Aksoyek
S
S
Renda
N
N
Yucesan
S
S
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D006909:Hydroxyproline / Q000378:metabolism; D007422:Intestines / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000473:pathology; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
D006909:Hydroxyproline