Effect of acute anemia on the healing of intestinal anastomoses in the rabbit

Background: Considering the potential deleterious effects of transfusion, t he effect of severe, acute anemia on small intestine (SI) and large intesti ne (LI) anastomoses was evaluated. Methods: Thirty-six rabbits underwent segmental resection of the midileum a nd distal colon. Half underwent preanastomotic removal of 30% of their bloo d volume with crystalloid resuscitation. At I or 2 weeks, the anastomotic b ursting pressure (ABP) and histologic grade of white blood cell influx, blo od vessel ingrowth, fibroblast proliferation, and collagen deposition were. assessed. Results. Sl ABP was decreased in anemic rabbits at 2 weeks (190 +/- 6 nun H g vs. 257 +/- 17 mm Hg). LI ABP was decreased at 1 week in anemic rabbits. In the test rabbits, histologic parameters were altered in both the SI and LI with decreased white blood cell infiltration, attenuated blood vessel in growth, and de-creased collagen content at both I and 2 weeks. Decreased SI fibroblast proliferation was present at I week. Conclusion: Acute anemia in the rabbit undergoing intestinal resection decr eases the SI ABP at 2 weeks and alters histologic parameters of wound heali ng in both the Sl and LI.