title: Effects of unfractionated heparin and low-molecular-weight heparin on colonic anastomoses in the presence of experimental peritonitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We aimed at investigating the effects of unfractionated heparin (UFH) and low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) on the healing process of colonic anastomoses in the presence of peritonitis which is known to adversely affect the healing process.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three groups of Wistar albino rats (n = 15 in each group) with experimental fecal peritonitis were studied. A 1-cm colonic segment was resected, and an end-to-end anastomosis was performed. The control group (group 1) was given no treatment; group 2 animals received 50 IU/kg s.c. UFH twice a day, and group 3 rats received LMWH at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg daily for 7 days postoperatively. Relaparotomy was done on day 7 in the surviving rats. The rats were sacrificed by resection of the colonic segment. The anastomosis bursting pressures were measured and the tissue samples from anastomosis lines were histopathologically examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The bursting pressures were significantly higher in UFH and LMWH groups as compared with the controls (p = 0.021 and p < 0.001, respectively), while there was no statistically significant difference between UFH and LMWH groups. Positive bacterial culture results were more common in controls (90%) than in the other two groups (p = 0.029 and p = 0.002, respectively). Also the polymorphonuclear leukocyte counts were higher (p = 0.005) and the fibrin formation more common (p = 0.007) in the controls. On the other hand, the number of fibroblasts was higher (p = 0.002) and collagen formation and revascularization more frequent (p = 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively) in the UFH and LMWH groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  UFH and LMWH may have positive effects on the healing process of colonic anastomoses in the presence of peritonitis.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Surgical Clinics, Haydarpasa Numune Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. ygunerhan@superonline.com
authors.forename: Yusuf
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gunerhan
authors.forename: Neset
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Koksal
authors.forename: Ozden
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gul
authors.forename: Mehmet Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Uzun
authors.forename: Pembegul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Guneş
authors.forename: Riza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Adaleti
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D003106:Colon / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005243:Feces; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011312:Pressure; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D003094:Collagen