Background and aims: There is controversy about the effect of the influence of hyperthermia and chemotherapeutic agents on the healing of intestinal anastomosis. The effects of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion (HIPEC) of wound healing after colonic anastomosis were investigated in a rat model.
Materials and methods: Thirty-six Wag/Rija rats were randomized into three groups of 12 animals each: group I: control (only colonic anastomosis was performed) (n = 12); group II: HIPEC (mitomycin C in a concentration of 20 mg/m(2) (n = 12) colonic anastomosis was performed before HIPEC; group III: HIPEC (mitomycin C in a concentration of 20 mg/m(2) (n = 12) colonic anastomosis was performed after HIPEC. Bursting pressure and bursting sites were recorded 4 and 10 days after intervention. Collagen deposits, inflammation and foreign body reactions were evaluated.
Results: Lower bursting pressure and lost of collagen were found in both HIPEC groups and compared with the control group. There was almost no difference between both HIPEC groups. They were noted overwhelmingly at the anastomosis in the HIPEC group. The degree of collagen accumulation was well-correlated with bursting pressure.
Conclusion: These results have shown that hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion (HIPEC) impairs wound healing in colonic anastomosis in rats.