Effect of persistently elevated intraabdominal pressure on healing of colonic anastomoses

Background: The adverse effects of elevated intraabdominal pressure (IAP) on abdominal organs are realized, but its influence on anastomotic healing has not been studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of elevated IAP on healing of colonic anastomoses. Methods: Thirty rats, which all had right colonic anastomoses, were divided into five groups. Group 1 was the control group, and group 2 had fecal peritonitis. IAP was maintained between 4 to 6 mm Hg in group 3, 8 to 12 mm Hg in group 4, and 14 to 18 mm Hg in group 5 until all rats were sacrificed on day 4. Bursting pressures and tissue hydroxyproline concentrations of anastomoses were then analyzed and compared. Results: Mean ± SEM of bursting pressures were 143 ± 2.9 mm Hg in group 1, 72 ± 14.4 mm Hg in group 2, 77.3 ± 7.9 mm Hg in group 3, 57.5 ± 11.2 mm Hg in group 4, and 40.1 ± 9.6 mm Hg in group 5 ( P