The Effect of Capecitabine on the Healing of Colonic Anastomoses in Rats

Purpose Capecitabine is a fluoropyrimidine carbamate with antineoplasmatic activity, recommended for the treatment of colorectal cancer. This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of the perioperative administration of capecitabine on the healing process of colonic anastomosis. Methods Sixty Wistar rats were used, which were randomized in 2 groups of 30 each. The study group was subjected to colonic anastomosis and treated with therapeutic doses of capecitabine (359 mg/kg, or 2/3 of the mean toxic dose) by mouth one week before anastomosis and throughout the study. The control group received only placebo medication. Both groups were further divided into three subgroups, each of ten animals. In both study and control groups, ten animals were killed in each session on postoperative Days 3, 7, and 14. Results We found no negative impact on the healing of colonic anastomosis on capecitabine administration. The rate of anastomotic leakage and septic complications were not found to be significantly different between the study and control groups. The median bursting pressure was found to be significantly higher in the study subgroup killed on the third day (68 vs. 46 mmHg of the control group). Conclusions Perioperative administration of capecitabine does not have a negative impact on colonic anastomosis in rats. Presented at the International Congress on Colorectal Cancer, Chalkidiki, Greece, May 28 to 31, 2004. Presented at the Congress of Northern Greece Surgical Association, Alexandroupoli, Greece, October 14 to 15, 2005. Supported by the Procurement of Capecitabine, F. Hoffman La-Roche, Basle, Switzerland. Reprints are not available.