Local effects of epidermal growth factor on the wound healing in esophageal anastomosis: An experimental study

Abstract Objective In this study with the experimental model of primary repair of esophageal atresia(EA), we investigated the effects of the epidermal growth factor(EGF) on wound healing in the anastomosis of EA. Materials and Methods Forty rabbits that were performed a resection of a 1-cm segment of the cervical esophagus followed by the end-to-end anastomosis were divided into four groups. Group I (7-day group) and III (21-day group), the control groups, had no EGF applied to the anastomosis. In group II(7-day group) and group III(21-day group), all around the anastomoses were locally covered with 100 micrograms/kg EGF. Group 1,2 and 3,4 were sacrificed on the 7th and 21st day, respectively. We investigated and compared with bursting pressure, vascularization around the anastomotic line by histopathology, inflammation, and fibroblast granulation as well as hydroxyproline level by biochemical. Results No significant difference was found at vascularization and inflammation between all of the groups(p >0.05). Considering the critical parameters of the groups, at bursting pressure difference was found between group 1 and 2 as well as 3 and(p 0.05) but the difference between group 3 and 4(p