Increasing the strength of colonic anastomosis with short chain fatty acids irrigation

Abstract

The effects of intraluminal short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) irrigation on colonic anastomosis, distal to the colostomy were investigated on 60 Swiss Albino male rats. Four groups each consists of randomly 15 rats were assigned. Out of group I (Sham group), loop colostomy 2.5 cm distal to the caecum were performed to all of the rats. While no additional procedures performed in group II, normal saline irrigation in group III and SCFAs irrigation in group IV, distal to the colostomy were performed. After 3 weeks, all the rats were reoperated, resection and anastomosis 5 cm distal to the caecum was performed. Irrigations were continued for one week and then the rats killed in order to investigate the anastomosis perforation pressure. In conclusion we demonstrated that irrigation with SCFAs increased the strength of colonic anastomosis.