EFFECT OF FIBRIN GLUE ON IRRADIATED COLONIC ANASTOMOSES

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.