INTRODUCTION: The present study was planned to research the effects of
fibrin glue on irradiated colonic anastomoses. METHOD: The effect of
fibrin glue on irradiated colonic anastomoses was investigated in four
identical groups of rats. In Group I (control group) colonic anastomo
ses were performed without radiotherapy; in Group II, colonic anastomo
ses were performed five days after radiotherapy; in Group III, fibrin
glue was applied to anastomotic line without radiotherapy; in Group IV
, fibrin glue was applied to anastomotic line with radiotherapy. The h
ealing of left colonic anastomoses was evaluated through the bursting
pressure of the anastomotic segment and the hydroxyproline contents of
the anastomosis. RESULTS: Measurements done on the fourth postoperati
ve day revealed that anastomotic healing was impaired in rats that und
erwent radiotherapy (P < 0.001); fibrin glue had no effect on anastomo
tic heating in groups with or without radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: In the
early phases of anastomotic healing, fibrin glue cannot help remove u
nwanted effects of preoperative radiotherapy.