Microcirculatory dysfunction in endotoxemic bowel anastomosis: the pathogenetic contribution of microcirculatory dysfunction to endotoxemia-induced healing impairment.
BACKGROUND
An established intra-abdominal infection as in perforated diverticulitis is considered to contribute to anastomotic healing impairment. Since microvascular dysfunction in sepsis is known to be due to organ failure, the influence of inflammation on the anastomotic microcirculation needs further investigation.


METHODS
Sixty BALB/c mice (n = 10 per group and day 2, 4, and 7) were randomized to two groups: Control and Sepsis (lipopolysaccharide administration 2 mg/kg bodyweight 18 h before colon surgery). All animals underwent colonic anastomosis. Immediately after its completion intravital fluorescence microscopy of the anastomosis was performed, and both macroscopic and histological parameters were assessed on days 2, 4, and 7 postoperatively. Additionally, immunohistology was performed for CD31 (platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1), single-strand DNA, and inducible nitric oxide synthase.


RESULTS
As compared to Control the functional capillary network of the perianastomotic region was decreased in Sepsis (P < 0.001) as well as the hemoglobin O(2) saturation in the antimesenteric region of the anastomosis (P < 0.05). Bursting pressure was significantly decreased in Sepsis compared to Control at days 2, 4, and 7. On day 7 there were significant differences between the two groups in the anastomotic region: neutrophil infiltration in Sepsis was higher (P < 0.001); vascular density and differentiation in Sepsis was lower (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, respectively); and apoptosis was higher in Sepsis (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The inflammatory state increases microvascular dysfunction at the anastomosis resulting in healing impairment.
Surgical Research, Department of General Surgery-University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany. diller@uni-muenster.de
Ricarda
R
Diller
Udo
U
Stratmann
Tilo
T
Helmschmied
Gerrit
G
Bäumer
Ralf
R
Bahde
Evgeni
E
Minin
Hans-Ullrich
HU
Spiegel
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D003106:Colon / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000378:metabolism; D019446:Endotoxemia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000503:physiopathology; D018715:Microscopy, Video; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000378:metabolism; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D011312:Pressure; D012039:Regional Blood Flow
D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D006454:Hemoglobins; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D010100:Oxygen