The American surgeon
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The American surgeon · Jul 1999
The effect of peritoneal contamination on wound strength of small bowel and colonic anastomoses.
Primary bowel repair in the face of peritoneal soilage is still a controversial area. Previous studies using the rat model have demonstrated a difference in new collagen synthesis after 24 hours of peritoneal contamination. Currently, the effect of short-term fecal contamination of the peritoneal cavity on anastomotic healing and strength is not known. ⋯ There was no significant difference in maximum anastomotic wound strength or hydroxyproline content between 12-hour CLP and 12-hour control group for both small bowel and colon anastomoses. Short-term peritoneal soilage (12-hour) does not significantly effect the maximum tensile strength or hydroxyproline content of primary small bowel or colonic anastomoses in this model. This study suggests that short-term fecal contamination of the peritoneal cavity may not be a contraindication to primary bowel anastomosis.