[Effect of ascorbic acid and hidrocortisone on intestinal anastomotic tension].
OBJECTIVE
The effects of vitamin C and hidrocortisone on anastomotic healing process are controversial. The objective of the present paper was to compare the jejunal anastomotic tension in different postoperative periods.


METHODS
40 male rats weighing 200 to 400 grams were submitted to laparotomy. The jejunum was transversally cut 10 cm from the duodenojejunal flexure, and subsequently anastomosed. The rats were divided into four groups (n=10). Group I - control, Group II - oral administration of vitamin C (100 mg/kg), Group III - intraperitoneal administration of hidrocortisone (10 mg/kg), and Group IV - administration of vitamin C and hidrocortisone at the above mentioned doses. The anastomotic resistance was determined by using bursting pressure test on the 5th and 21st postoperative days.


RESULTS
The resistances of the groups with vitamin C, isolated or associated to hidrocortisone trend to be higher in both postoperative periods. However, the administration of intraperitoneal steroid did not change the resistance of murine jejunal anastomosis.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the present study suggest that vitamin C enhances the resistance of jejunal anastomosis in the rat.
Petroianu
Andy
A
Departamento de Cirurgia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. petroian@medicina.ufmg.br
Alberti
Luiz Ronaldo
LR
Souza
Soraya Diniz E
SD
Martins
Silmar Grey
SG
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007583:Jejunum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012421:Rupture / Q000517:prevention & control; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000517:prevention & control; D013718:Tensile Strength / Q000187:drug effects; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D006854:Hydrocortisone