Abstract
Objective: To investigate the healing of intra-abdominal and extra-abdominal jejunal anastomoses that were surrounded by a hyaluronic acid/carboxymethylcellulose membrane (Seprafilm®) in rats.
Design: Laboratory study.
Setting: University hospital, The Netherlands.
Animals: 56 male Wistar rats.
Interventions: 28 rats had jejunojejunostomies placed subcutaneously and 28 had them placed intra-abdominally. Half of each group of anastomoses were surrounded by Seprafilm®.
Main outcome measures: After 3 or 7 days, the anastomoses were tested for bursting pressure, tensile strength, and hydroxyproline concentrations.
Results: There were numerous strong adhesions around the anastomoses in the subcutaneous position and Seprafilm® had no influence on their extent. Bursting pressure and hydroxyproline concentrations were not affected by position or Seprafilm® treatment. Tensile strength was significantly higher in the subcutaneous position (p < 0.01), but was unaffected by Seprafilm®.
Conclusion: Anastomotic healing was not impaired in the subcutaneous or intraperitoneal position in this model. Seprafilm® had no effect on the anastomosis.