Abstract

Background
Postoperative anastomotic leakage is still an issue in modern surgery. Re-hospitalisation due to postoperative anastomosis leakage prolongs hospital stay and re-operations increases the cost. There in still no consent on how to dissect the intestines. The aim of this study is to compare the safety of colonic anastomoses after dissections using scalpel, scissors and cautery in rats.
Material and Methods
32 adult Wistar Hannover rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, each containing 8 animals: group 1:sham group, group 2: scalpel group, group 3: scissors group, group 4: cautery group. Anastomosis was done over a single layer. Bursting pressure was measured at day 7. Tissue and blood samples were obtained for the assessment of biochemical and histopathological parameters.
Results
There was a statistically significant difference between the sham, scalpel, scissors and cautery groups regarding mean bursting pressure average, mean hydroxyproline levels and fibrosis distributions.
Conclusion
Cautery is the best choice for haemostasis however when considering tissue healing, scalpel and the scissors were found to be safest alternatives.

Key words: anastomotic leak, colonic dissection, hydroxyproline, rats, tissue healing