Intraperitoneal vitamin E and amniotic membrane treatment were both effective in the prevention of peritoneal adhesions. The combination of these agents did not produce a synergistic effect. Easy applicability of the intraperitoneal administration of vitamin E was its major advantage.

This study showed that the covering of colonic anastomoses with amniotic membrane significantly prevented the delaying effect of intraperitoneal sepsis and provided a safer and stronger anastomosis than suture and that this was the case for both the early and late phases of anastomotic healing in the colon.

The covering of both normal and high-risk colonic anastomoses with amniotic membrane provides a beneficial effect over conventional suturing of healing.

Covering colon anastomoses with AM protects them, preventing leakage and reversing the negative effects of 5-FU administration.

PURPOSE:To investigate whether chitosan application over colonic anastomosis line, provide reinforcement, and subsequently improve anastomotic healing. METHODS:Forty eight Wistar albino female rats were used and were randomly divided into four groups, 12 rats in each: The control groups (1 and 3) received no further treatment. The experimental groups (2 and 4) received chitosan application over the colonic anastomosis. After sacrifying rats at the end of the experiment (either on day three or on day seven, depending on the group), colonic bursting pressure, a hihydroxyproline level and histopathologic characteristics of the perianastomotic tissue were examined. RESULTS:At three days, chitosan and control groups had similar values for histopathologically. On day seven, chitosan group had significantly higher mean score of collagenization (p=0.007) and a significantly higher bursting pressure (p=0.038). CONCLUSION:Our study emphasizes the positive effect of chitosan in the process of collagenation in colonic anastomosis healing. Key words: Chitosan. Anastomosis, Surgical. Tensile Strength. Wound Healing. Rats. RESUMO OBJETIVO:Investigar se a aplicação de quitosana em anastomose colônica promove resistência à tração e consequentemente a melhora na cicatrização. MÉTODOS:Foram utilizados 48 ratos Wistar fêmeas distribuídos em quatro grupos, 12 ratos em cada. Grupos controle (1 e 3) não receberam tratamento. Grupos experimento (2 e 4) receberam aplicação de quitosana na anastomose colônica. Após eutanásia após 3º ou 7º dias foram examinadas a tensão, o nível de hidroxiprolina e aspectos histopatológicos da anastomose. RESULTADOS:Após três dias os grupos controle e quitosana não apresentaram alterações histopatológicas. No sétimo dia o grupo quitosana apresentou significante elevação do escore de colagenização (p=0,007) e da tensão de ruptura (p=0,038). CONCLUSÃO:A quitosana apresentou bons resultados nos processos de colagenização e cicatrização de anastomose colônica.Descritores: Quitosana. Anastomose Cirúrgica. Resistência à Tração. Cicatrização. Ratos.Citgez B et al.