title: Stem cells improve the quality of colonic anastomoses - A systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Stem cells have multiple ways of differentiating and restoring healing. This feature may recommend their usage for decreasing the incidence of anastomotic fistulas in the colon in case of colorectal malignancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  To determine whether stem cells are improving digestive healing, we performed a literature review using as Mesh terms: "anastomotic leak", "stem cells", and "colonic anastomoses", followed by an observational analysis on 3 experimental studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that stem cells increase bursting pressure by an elevated rate of angiogenesis. In addition, the hydroxyproline content of the anastomoses is significantly increased in the stem cell group. The results concerning microscopic characteristics of digestive healing varied markedly between studies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest a novel role for mesenchymal stem cells in digestive sutures on ischemic conditions. Although stem cells have shown their beneficial effect on anastomotic healing, further studies are necessary to establish the indications, the appropriate method of administration, the sampling site and the identification of substances whose combination might potentiate their angiogenic effect.
authors: First Surgical Clinic, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Hatieganu", Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors: Alexandra
authors: A
authors: Caziuc
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Calin Dindelegan
authors: Emoke
authors: E
authors: Pall
authors: Aurel
authors: A
authors: Mironiuc
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D057868:Anastomotic Leak / Q000517:prevention & control; D003106:Colon / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000517:prevention & control