title: Improvement of colonic healing by preoperative oral partially hydrolyzed guar gum (Benefiber) in rats which underwent preoperative radiotherapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neoadjuvant radiotherapy in rectal cancer could interfere with anastomotic healing. We investigated the effects of preoperative oral administration of Benefiber on the healing irradiated colonic anastomosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups. Group I (control group), Group II (Benefiber® pretreatment group), Group III (preoperative radiotherapy group) and Group IV (preoperative radiotherapy and Benefiber® pretreatment group). All animals underwent 1 cm left colon resection and primary anastomosis. On the 3rd and 7th postoperative days, all the rats were anesthetized to assess the anastomotic healing clinically, mechanically, histologically and biochemically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean bursting pressure was significantly lower in-group III and significantly higher in-group II on day 7. The histologic parameters of anastomotic healing, such as epithelial regeneration and formation of granulation tissue, were significantly improved by use of preoperative Benefiber® on day 7. The amount of acid-soluble collagen concentrations significantly increased in-group IV compared to group III on day 3. The amount of salt-soluble collagen concentrations significantly increased in group II compared to group III on day 3.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Colonic anastomotic healing can be adversely affected by preoperative radiotherapy, but orogastric feeding with Benefiber may improve the healing process.
authors: a Department of Surgery.
authors: Ali Ibrahim
authors: AI
authors: Sevinc
authors: a Department of Surgery.
authors: Baki
authors: B
authors: Aydogan
authors: a Department of Surgery.
authors: Aras Emre
authors: AE
authors: Canda
authors: b Department of Radiation Oncology.
authors: Oguz
authors: O
authors: Cetinayak
authors: a Department of Surgery.
authors: Cem
authors: C
authors: Terzi
authors: c Department of Biochemistry.
authors: Gulgun
authors: G
authors: Oktay
authors: d Department of Pathology, Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine Izmir Turkey.
authors: Duygu
authors: D
authors: Gurel
authors: a Department of Surgery.
authors: Mehmet
authors: M
authors: Fuzun
keywords: Anastomosis; Benefiber; healing; radiotherapy