Pitfalls and technical aspects during the research of intestinal anastomotic healing in rats.
BACKGROUND
Fundamental experimental research into intestinal anastomotic healing in rodent models will gain increasing interest in the future.


METHODS
The aim of this study was to describe our 5-year experience with a standardized experimental setup of small and large bowel anastomoses in a rodent model and present a basic set of assessment tools investigating anastomotic healing. Anastomotic technique, perioperative complications such as anastomotic insufficiency (AI) and obstructive ileus were in the focus.


RESULTS
During different studies with varying study patterns, 167 rat small bowel anastomoses and 120 colonic anastomoses were performed. Overall mortality was 3.6% in small bowel and 2.5% in colonic anastomoses, AI occurred in 2.9 and 4%, respectively. A postoperative obstructive ileus was seen in 3/167 small bowel anastomoses and none in the colonic group.


CONCLUSIONS
When performing experimental intestinal anastomoses in a standardized operative setting and critically considering special perioperative issues, the incidence of relevant complications can be maintained at an adequately low level.
Department of General and Digestive Surgery, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. goran.marjanovic @ uniklinik-freiburg.de
G
G
Marjanovic
P
P
Holzner
B
B
Kulemann
S
S
Kuesters
W K
WK
Karcz
S
S
Timme
A
A
Zur Hausen
T
T
Baumann
U T
UT
Hopt
R
R
Obermaier
J
J
Hoeppner
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D003106:Colon / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D006909:Hydroxyproline / Q000378:metabolism; D007082:Ileum / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D045823:Ileus / Q000209:etiology; D007422:Intestines / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
D006909:Hydroxyproline