Effects of simultaneous hepatic resection on healing of left-sided colonic anastomoses: an experimental study in rats.
BACKGROUND
A combined colorectal and hepatic resection is considered too risky by many surgeons owing to the high risk of postoperative septic complications. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of hepatic resection on the healing of left-sided colonic anastomoses in rats on postoperative day 7.


METHODS
Fifty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were block-randomized into three groups. In each group, 1 cm of the left side of the colon was resected and anastomosed. Additionally, 40 or 70% of the liver was resected in group 2 and 3, respectively. Rats were killed on postoperative day 7. The abdominal cavity was inspected for the presence of complications. The bursting pressure and hydroxyproline content of the anastomoses were measured.


RESULTS
The total number of complications was significantly higher in group 3 than in group 2. Anastomotic bursting pressure and hydroxyproline content did not differ significantly among the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Increasing the extent of simultaneous hepatic resection did not significantly affect the healing of left-sided colonic anastomoses in rats on postoperative day 7, although there was a tendency towards lower bursting pressure paralleling the extent of liver resection. Excessive hepatic resection with colectomy may increase postoperative complications.
Sasanuma
Hideki
H
Department of Surgery, Jichi Medical School, Tochigi, Japan. h-ssnm@jichi.ac.jp
Mortensen
Frank Viborg
FV
Hyodo
Masanobu
M
Okada
Masaki
M
Yasuda
Yoshikazu
Y
Funch-Jensen
Peter
P
Nagai
Hideo
H
D000597:Amino Acids, Branched-Chain / Q000378:metabolism; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000401:mortality*; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D003082:Colectomy / Q000401:mortality; D003106:Colon / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery*; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000401:mortality*; D006909:Hydroxyproline / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality; D011312:Pressure; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014945:Wound Healing
D000597:Amino Acids, Branched-Chain; D006909:Hydroxyproline