Intraoperative bowel irrigation improves anastomotic collagen metabolism in the left-sided colonic obstruction but not covering colostomy

This study investigated the effects of intraoperative colonic irrigation and proximal diverting end colostomy after segmental bowel resection in experimental left-colonic obstruction on anastomotic healing. Simple obstruction of descending colon was performed in male Sprague-Dawley rats. After 24 h we performed segmental colonic resection and anastomosis in the control group (n = 15); resection, anastomosis, and covering colostomy in the colostomy group (n = 14); resection and anastomosis after antegrade colonic lavage through cecum by using isotonic saline solution in the irrigation group (n = 13). In rats that were killed 7 days later anastomotic dehiscence and bursting pressure and tissue hydroxyproline concentration at the anastomosis were measured. No significant differences were observed between groups in terms of anastomotic dehiscence, bursting site, or pressure. The hydroxyproline concentration was significantly higher in the irrigation group than the control group (P = 0.025) and the colostomy group (P = 0.029), but no difference was noted between the control group and the colostomy group. These findings suggest that intraoperative antegrade colonic irrigation in the acute left-sided colonic obstruction positively affects collagen metabolism at the anastomotic site; if the anastomosis is performed without bowel cleansing, covering colostomy does not improve collagen metabolism. Accepted: 30 September 1998     

Laser Doppler velocimetry and the measurement of colostomy blood flow

Early colostomy closure leads to a high rate of fecal fistula formation which may be due to a poor blood supply. Laser Doppler flowmetry is a new method of measuring colonic blood flow. Blood flow in 17 colostomies has been measured at one week, median flux 28 units (range, 13 to 43) and in 12 colostomies more than eight weeks after formation, median flux 46 units (range, 35–56;P<0.002). Nine of the “mature” colostomies have been closed without a fecal fistula or other signs of anastomotic failure. Serial readings of colostomy blood flow were made at weekly intervals in another ten stomas over a period of two months. Blood flow increased over this time from a median of 19 units (range, 17 to 22) at one week to a median of 44 units (range, 39 to 48;P<0.002) at eight weeks. Laser Doppler flowmetry is a simple, noninvasive method of measuring colostomy blood flow and the findings support a clinical policy for delayed colostomy closure.     

Healing of a left colon anastomosis after early colostomy closure

The healing of a standardized left colon anastomosis after early (7 days) closure of a concomitant proximal diverting colostomy was studied experimentally. Early closure of the diverting colostomy could be conducted safely by an intraperitoneal technique and the healing of the primary anastomosis was uncomplicated. Colostomy closure in the proliferative phase of wound healing resulted in development of anastomotic strength similar to colonic healing without faecal diversion. The anastomotic strength had doubled after three weeks. As compared to colostomy closure in the remodelling phase of anastomotic healing development of anastomotic strength was more rapid and without serious local complications.     

Comparative Effects of Tetragastrin and Histamine on Pepsin Secretion in Man

Abstract

Objectives. Restoration of the macro- and microcirculation is important for the healing of gastrointestinal anastomoses. Colloids and crystalloids are widely used for blood volume therapy. We evaluated the effects of human albumin, hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 130/0.4 and saline on the microcirculation and on wound healing in colon anastomoses in rats. Material and methods. Male Wistar rats received a colonic end-to-end anastomosis. The animals were randomized into three groups and a single 3-ml dose of either 20% human albumin, 6% HES 130/0.4 or 0.9% saline was applied intravenously. Six, 24, 48, 96 h and 2 weeks after the procedure, 10 animals per group were reanesthetized. Measurements of capillary blood flow, vessel permeability and anastomosis bursting pressure were performed. The amounts of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and IL-6 in the plasma were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and the mRNA levels of VEGF and collagen types I and III were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results. No significant differences were found between albumin, HES 130/0.4 and saline in capillary blood flow, vessel permeability and anastomotic bursting pressure in this rat model. Concentrations of collagen I and III mRNA were significantly elevated after 96 h in animals that had received HES 130/0.4 or albumin. RNA and protein levels of VEGF and interleukin-6 were unaffected by therapy. Conclusions. Human albumin, which is still widely used in the clinical setting, had no advantage over HES 130/0.4 and saline with regard to anastomotic healing in this animal model. Nevertheless, we prefer HES 130/0.4 because it is more effective for volume therapy than saline and has a better availability and is less expensive than human albumin.     

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion (HIPEC) decrease wound strength of colonic anastomosis in a rat model

Background and aims There is controversy about the effect of the influence of hyperthermia and chemotherapeutic agents on the healing of intestinal anastomosis. The effects of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion (HIPEC) of wound healing after colonic anastomosis were investigated in a rat model. Materials and methods Thirty-six Wag/Rija rats were randomized into three groups of 12 animals each: group I: control (only colonic anastomosis was performed) (n = 12); group II: HIPEC (mitomycin C in a concentration of 20 mg/m² (n = 12) colonic anastomosis was performed before HIPEC; group III: HIPEC (mitomycin C in a concentration of 20 mg/m² (n = 12) colonic anastomosis was performed after HIPEC. Bursting pressure and bursting sites were recorded 4 and 10 days after intervention. Collagen deposits, inflammation and foreign body reactions were evaluated. Results Lower bursting pressure and lost of collagen were found in both HIPEC groups and compared with the control group. There was almost no difference between both HIPEC groups. They were noted overwhelmingly at the anastomosis in the HIPEC group. The degree of collagen accumulation was well-correlated with bursting pressure. Conclusion These results have shown that hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion (HIPEC) impairs wound healing in colonic anastomosis in rats.     

Morbidity reduction employing a semi-standardized protocol

To evaluate a semi-standardized protocol for colostomy closure, the cases of 166 consecutive patients from 1974 through 1981 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 17 complications (17/166); overall morbidity rate was 2.4 per cent. A significantly increased incidence of major morbidity and septic complications was associated with colostomies closed at an interval of less than 8.5 weeks from formation (P≤0.001). Simple transverse closure of colostomy versus resection and end-to-end anastomosis did not result in increased morbidity (P≤0.1). The wound infection rate was 1.2 per cent (2/166) with 135/166 wounds closed primarily, or primarily over a subcutaneous drain, thus rendering primary wound closure safe and desirable Read at the annual meeting of the Southern Medical Association, Atlanta, Georgia, October 30, 1982.     

Colostomy closure promotes cell proliferation and dimethylhydrazine-induced carcinogenesis in rat distal colon

The influence of adaptive cell proliferation on colonic carcinogenesis was studied in male Fischer rats with a defunctioning transverse colostomy that was closed 4 wk later. Control observations were made in other rats after colonic transection, repeated at 4 wk, after laparotomy alone, or after permanent colostomy. Tumors were induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (total dose, 300 mg/kg) over 11 wk, starting 2 days after the second operation. After creation of the colostomy, amounts of protein, RNA, and DNA in the distal colon halved in 4 wk (p less than 0.001), but returned to normal 7 days after restoration of colonic continuity. This reactive hyperplasia promoted the development of distal colonic carcinomas, as compared with rats having repeated transection of the bowel (incidence 32% vs. 6%; p less than 0.03). Although the amounts of protein and nucleic acid in the proximal colon were unchanged by transverse colostomy, values increased by 18%-59% 4 wk after colostomy closure (p = 0.05-0.002); nonetheless, the yield of tumors in this segment was unaltered. Suture-line cancers were commoner after repeat transection than after colostomy closure (76% vs. 39%; p less than 0.01). These data confirm the promotional effect of increased cell proliferation on intestinal carcinogenesis.     

Stapled colonic J-pouch-anal anastomosis without a diverting colostomy for rectal carcinoma

PURPOSE: Colonic J-pouch reconstruction is designed to improve functional outcome of coloanal anastomosis. Most surgeons use a diverting colostomy to avoid severe pelvic sepsis caused by anastomotic breakdown. METHODS: We report the outcome of 30 consecutive patients with colonic J-pouch-anal anastomosis without a diverting colostomy performed between November 1992 and October 1993. All patients had carcinoma of the lower two-thirds of the rectum. Patients were seen every three months. Functional results were compared with those of 21 rectal cancer patients with straight coloanal anastomosis who underwent surgery in the same period and 20 normal patients. RESULTS: There were two anastomotic leakages and one postoperative death. After one year, patients with pouch anastomosis had significantly less frequency of defecation and rectal urgency compared with those with straight anastomosis (P <0.01); 48 percent of patients with straight anastomosis had more than five bowel movements per day, whereas all patients with pouch anastomosis had five or less bowel movements per day. Manometric studies showed maximum tolerable volume was significantly higher in patients with pouch anastomosis (81 vs. 152 ml;P <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Stapled colonic J-pouch-anal anastomosis without a diverting colostomy is a reliable procedure that provides good, long-term functional results.Supported by National Science Council, Taiwan, Research Grant NSC 83-0412-B182-021.Read at the meeting of the International Society of University Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Singapore, Singapore, July 2 to 6, 1994.     

Intraoperative antegrade lavage and anastomotic healing in acute colonic obstruction

The management of acute distal colonic obstruction remains controversial. The advent of intraoperative colonic irrigation has allowed primary anastomosis to be performed in obstructed bowel. Fifteen patients, with acute distal obstruction due to carcinoma, diverticulitis or sigmoid volvulus were managed by primary resection and anastomosis. There were two leaks (14 percent) and the duration of operation was prolonged. In an experimental study of anastomotic healing after acute obstruction, intraoperative irrigation improved early anastomotic colonic collagen content (P<0.02) and perianastomotic proximal and distal collagen content (P<0.002,P<0.05). Intraoperative lavage is a useful technique to permit safer primary resection and anastomosis in obstructed colon.     

Sutureless colonic anastomosis in the rat: a randomized controlled study

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of glue tissue on the healing of colonic anastomosis in rats. Two groups of 20 Wistar rats each were used. Following laparotomy, a segment of 1 cm of the colon was resected, 10 cm from the ileocecal valve. In the control group, the anastomosis was sutured in a single layer with 6-0 polypropylene interrupted extramucosal sutures. In the glue group, the anastomosis was performed by using 2-octyl cyanoacrylate (Dermabond, Ethicon). Rats were sacrificed on day 7 following operation. Integrity of the anastomoses, existence of perianastomotic abscess or peritonitis, and adhesion formation were recorded. Anastomoses were resected including a 2.5-cm of bowel on either side. Bursting pressures were measured and the specimens were sent for histological examination. Anastomotic dehiscence occured in 20% of the animals in each group. Adhesion formation was more extensive in the glue group compared to the control group, but this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.074). Bursting pressures of the anastomoses between the two groups were not statistically significant (p=0.897). The wound healing process, as assessed by inflammatory cell infiltration, blood vessel neodevelopment, collagen deposition and fibroblast activity, did not differ statistically between the two groups (p>0.05). In conclusion, 2-octyl cyanoacrylate provides, under experimental conditions, a sutureless anastomosis equal in healing to the conventionally sutured one. The outcome may differ under demanding clinical situations. Received: 4 May 2002 / Accepted: 22 August 2002     

Collagen formation during the healing of colonic anastomoses

To study new collagen formation in the healing of anastomoses in the right colon, five male Sprague-Dawley rats had single-layer colonic anastomosis performed. Five additional rats had suture of the colon with interrupted sutures without transection of the colon. Ten animals served as controls. One week after surgery, animals were given³H-proline repeatedly to label new collagen formation during the second and third weeks. Animals were sacrificed three weeks after suturing or anastomosis. Two- or 10-mm segments were precisely excised on either side of the suturing or anastomoses. Total collagen and its total radioactivity were measured per segment. Collagen hydroxyproline and its radioactivity increased (100 per cent) only within 1 cm of the anastomosis or suture alone. No local or distant decrease in collagen was observed. Collagen formation in colonic wounds appears to be a local process. Supported by the American Association of Plastic Surgeons Research Award and the National Institutes of Health Grants AG-00361 and AG-00258.     

Collagen structural organization of healing colonic anastomoses and the effect of growth hormone treatment

PURPOSE: This experimental study was designed to investigate the collagen fibrils of colonic anastomoses in rats and to compare normal healing with rats treated with biosynthetic growth hormone (bGH). METHODS: The healing zone of left colonic anastomoses was studied at days 2, 4, and 6 after surgery by means of scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: After four days of healing a normal anastomosis was filled with loosely packed and unorganized collagen fibrils, which were organized into collagen fibers after six days. Compared with normal anastomoses, rats treated with bGH showed a more organized healing, characterized by a dense structure of a new-formed collagen framework of fibrils and immature collagen fibers after four days and with bundles of new collagen fibers after six days. CONCLUSIONS: Healing colonic anastomoses are characterized by new-formed collagen fibrils at postoperative day 4, and bGH seems to stimulate structural organization of the anastomotic collagen fibrils into fibers.Supported by the Danish Medical Research Council, Institute of Experimental Clinical Research, University of Aarhus, Novo Nordisk A/S, Gentofte, Denmark, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation.     

Effects of amniotic membrane on the healing of primary colonic anastomoses in the cecal ligation and puncture model of secondary peritonitis in rats

Purpose  We aimed to investigate the effects of amniotic membrane on primary colonic anastomoses in a rat peritonitis model. Materials and methods  Fifty female Sprague Dawley rats were used in the study. Bacterial peritonitis was induced in all rats by performing a cecal ligation and puncture. Ten rats served as controls for the bursting pressure measurement, while the other 40 animals were divided into two groups (the anastomosis group (P) or the amniotic membrane group (PA)), and all of them underwent colonic anastomosis. The latter group had amniotic membrane covering their anastomoses. Half of the PA and P groups were sacrificed on the third postoperative day (PA3, P3), and the other half on the seventh postoperative day (PA7, P7). Results  The bursting pressures were significantly higher in groups PA3 and PA7 compared with P3 (p < 0.01) and P7 (p < 0.05), respectively. Inflammatory cell infiltration and adhesion scores were significantly lower in groups PA3 and PA7 compared with groups P3 (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, respectively) and P7 (p < 0.001, p < 0.05, respectively). Neoangiogenesis, fibroblast activity, collagen deposition, and hydroxyproline concentrations were significantly higher in groups with amniotic membrane than in groups without amniotic membrane (p < 0.05, for all comparisons). Conclusion  This study showed that the covering of colonic anastomoses with amniotic membrane significantly prevented the delaying effect of intraperitoneal sepsis and provided a safer and stronger anastomosis than suture and that this was the case for both the early and late phases of anastomotic healing in the colon.     

The bone integration effects of platelet-rich fibrin by removal torque of titanium screw in rabbit tibia

Abstract

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is nowadays often used in various fields, but no removal torque studies have yet been done to evaluate the effects of the platelet-rich fibrin on the bone integration at the initial healing period. An experimental study have been performed in rabbits to evaluate whether the complete PRF clots can accelerate the bone integration of implants at the initial healing period after creating bone defects in tibias. The effec t of the complete PRF clots on bone integration was studied in two rabbit groups, 4-week group (group A) and 6-week group (group B) after preparing bony defects. Artificial bony defects were prepared in the tibias of rabbits. The complete PRF clots was applied to the defects in the experimental group, whereas the defects were unfilled in the control group. Four weeks later, machined implants were installed into the rabbit tibias (group A). Six weeks after installation, the removal torque from nine rabbits was measured to examine the bone healing effect of PRF. In another rabbits (group B), 6 weeks after preparing bony defects, installation was performed, and another 6 weeks after installation, the removal torque from nine rabbits was measured. The authors found a positive significant effect of the complete PRF clots on bone integration (higher bone density) in group A installed at 4 weeks after preparing bony defects (p?=?0.008; t-test), but not in group B installed at 6 weeks after preparing bony defects (p?=?0.677).     

Increasing anastomosis safety and preventing abdominal adhesion formation by the use of polypeptides in the rat

Background and aims Postoperative adhesions can potentially be reduced using different anti-adhesive agents, though these drugs tend to compromise healing of an intestinal anastomosis. No method that significantly increases anastomosis safety is known at present. The aim of the study was to develop a concept of preventing postoperative adhesions using differently charged bioactive polypeptides, also considering healing and safety of an intestinal anastomosis.Methods An ileocolic anastomosis was performed under both “clean” and “septic” conditions in the rat. The treatment group received intraperitoneal poly-l-lysine and poly-l-glutamate, while controls received sodium chloride. Abdominal adhesions, anastomosis leakage and burst pressure were analysed after 1, 3, 5 and 7 days in the clean anastomosis model and after 7 days in the septic model.Results A significant decrease (p<0.01) in the amount of adhesions was seen in animals treated with polypeptides after 1, 3 and 5 days, while no difference was seen after 7 days. The anastomosis demonstrated a significantly higher burst pressure as evaluated at days 1 and 3 (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively) in the polypeptide-treated animals, while no difference was seen between the groups at day 5 or 7.Conclusion The use of differently charged polypeptides administered intraperitoneally after surgery resulted in a significant decrease in the extent of postoperative adhesions. Furthermore, an increase in intestinal anastomosis safety, based on improved burst pressure during the first 3 days, i.e. the critical period during the healing process, was noted. No adverse effects were seen in surgery during septic conditions.     

腹腔镜次全结肠旷置造口盲直肠吻合术治疗老年慢传输型便秘的临床疗效观察

目的对比观察腹腔镜次全结肠旷置盲直肠吻合术和腹腔镜次全结肠旷置造口盲直肠吻合术治疗老年慢传输型便秘的临床疗效。 方法采用回顾性队列研究的方法,收集中国人民解放军联勤保障部队第九八九医院全军肛肠外科研究所于2008年12月至2017年12月期间收治的年龄≥70岁的70例结肠慢传输型便秘患者的病例资料,其中34例采用腹腔镜次全结肠旷置盲直肠吻合术进行治疗（结肠旷置手术组）,36例采用腹腔镜次全结肠旷置造口盲直肠吻合术治疗（结肠旷置造口组）,对比两种手术方式的临床治疗效果及两组间各项评分量表。对比术后3个月、6个月、12个月每天排便次数（BM）和Wexner肛门失禁评分（WIS）,以及术前和术后3个月、6个月、12个月、24个月Wexner便秘评分（WCS）、胃肠生活质量指数（GIQLI）,腹胀评分（ABS）和0~10数字疼痛量表（NRS）。 结果所有患者均顺利进行了腹腔镜手术,术后均未发生排便失禁。术后3个月、6个月、12个月结肠旷置造口组的BM和WIS均明显少于结肠旷置手术组,差异有统计学意义［（BM）F₃=8.075、F₆=4.254、F₁₂=15.617,（WIS）F₃=11.760、F₆=14.422、F₁₂=27.467;均P＜0.05］。术后3个月、6个月、12个月、24个月结肠旷置造口组WCS和GIQLI改善明显优于结肠旷置手术组［（WCS）F₃=4.132、F₆=4.028、F₁₂=18.780、F₂₄=23.224,（GIQLI）F₃=75.194、F₆=44.631、F₁₂=52.238、F₂₄=89.949;均P＜0.05］。术后3个月结肠旷置造口组的ABS与结肠旷置手术组比较差异无统计学意义（F=2.423,P＞0.05）;术后6个月、12个月、24个月结肠旷置造口组ABS改善明显优于结肠旷置手术组（F₆=20.846,F₁₂=54.045,F₂₄=85.039;均P＜0.05）。术后3个月结肠旷置造口组的NRS与结肠旷置手术组比较差异无统计学意义（F=1.635,P＞0.05）,术后6个月、12个月、24个月结肠旷置造口组的NRS与结肠旷置手术组比较得到明显改善（F₆=4.057,F₁₂=33.661,F₂₄=36.421;均P＜0.05）。手术1年后钡餐检查,结肠旷置造口组的钡剂排空时间为21.0（18.3,24.0）h,明显短于结肠旷置手术组58.5（39.0,101.5）h,两组比较差异有统计学意义（Z=-6.651,P＜0.05）。 结论腹腔镜次全结肠旷置造口盲直肠吻合术治疗老年慢传输型便秘是一种较理想的手术方法,临床效果优于腹腔镜次全结肠旷置盲直肠吻合术。     

Primary repairvs. colostomy for the treatment of penetrating colon injuries

The charts of 81 consecutive patients with penetrating colonic trauma were reviewed. Sixty-five patients were considered for evaluation. Penetrating abdominal trauma index, associated injuries, length of operative procedure, wounding agent, length of hospital stay, method of treatment, and septic complications were evaluated. Twenty-eight patients were treated with colostomy at the site of injury: five with diverting colostomy proximal to repair, 30 with primary repair (either single or multiple injuries), and two with exteriorization and early drop back. Overall septic morbidity was 15 of 65 (23 percent) patients. No statistically significant difference was found in morbidity between colostomy, 9 of 33 (27 percent), and primary repair, 6 of 30 (20 percent). The two patients with exteriorized repairs had no morbidity. No deaths were reported among the 65 patients studied. Thirty-two of the 33 (97 percent) colostomies were later closed with morbidity in 7 of 32 (22 percent). The mean length of stay for primary repair patients was 10.3±2.8 days and for colostomy patients 25.7±3.8 days, counting days for both initial and colostomy closure admissions (P<.05). Colostomy was not mandated by anatomic location or number of colonic injuries, circumference of colonic wall involved, presence of fecal contamination, or involvement of mesenteric blood supply. This study indicates that primary repair does not carry an increased risk of septic complications and saves the patient the significant risk and increased hospital stay of colostomy closure. Prospective studies addressing this area are indicated. The opinions and assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors and are not to be construed as reflecting the views of the Department of Defense or Department of the Navy.     

Dietary fish oil augments nitric oxide production or release in patients with Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus

Summary Decreased release of nitric oxide from damaged endothelium is responsible for the impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilator responses found in animal models of vascular disease. Dietary supplementation with fish oils has been shown to augment endothelium-dependent relaxations, principally by improving the release of nitric oxide from injured endothelium. Using forearm venous occlusion plethysmography we studied vascular responses to 60, 120, 180 and 240 nmol/min of acetylcholine (an endothelium-dependent vasodilator) and 3, 6 and 9 nmol/min of glyceryl trinitrate (an endothelium-independent vasodilator) infused into the brachial artery in 23 patients with Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. N^G monomethyl-l-arginine was employed to inhibit stimulated and basal release of nitric oxide from the endothelium. On completion of the baseline studies patients randomly received either fish oil or matching olive oil capsules in a double-blind crossover fashion for 6 weeks followed by a 6-week washout period and a final 6-week treatment phase. Studies, identical to the initial baseline studies, were performed at the end of the active treatment periods at 6 and 18 weeks. Fish oil supplementation significantly improved forearm blood flow responses to each dose of acetylcholine when compared to the vasodilator responses recorded at baseline and after olive oil administration (p<0.01). Neither fish oil nor olive oil supplementation produced any significant changes in forearm blood flow to the incremental infusions of glyceryl trinitrate when compared with responses recorded during the baseline studies. N^G monomethyl-l-arginine significantly reduced forearm blood flow from maximal stimulated values to acetylcholine when compared to the uninhibited decline in flow to acetylcholine infusions at comparable time points (p<0.01). Treatment with fish oils improved endothelium-dependent responses to acetylcholine without altering endothelium-independent responses to glyceryl trinitrate. By increasing stimulated nitric oxide release from the endothelium fish oils may afford protection against vasospasm and thrombosis in patients with diabetes mellitus.     

Does a proximal colostomy affect colorectal anastomotic healing?

Fecal diversion has been implicated as an etiologic factor in anastomotic stenosis following colorectal surgery, particularly following the use of circular anastomotic stapling devices. However, experimental confirmation of the effects of fecal diversion on anastomotic healing is virtually nonexistent. The purpose of this study was to serially evaluate colorectal anastomotic healing with proximal colostomy (COL) and without it (CON; control) using two anastomotic techniques in a porcine model. Fifty-two (28 CON; 24 COL) mixed-breed female pigs had colorectal anastomoses using either a two-layer handsewn (HS) or an EFA ^® (U.S. Surgical Corporation, Norwalk, CT) circular stapled (CS) technique. Anastomotic blood flow was measured using laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV). At second surgery (5, 11, 60, or 120 days post-operatively), the following data were collected: repeat LDV, gross and microscopic anastomotic inflammatory scores, anastomotic diameter, and bursting pressure. There were no significant differences in anastomotic blood flow (LDV), inflammatory scores, or incidence of leak or stenosis between the CON and COL groups or between anastomotic techniques. Bursting pressure was significantly lower for the COL group at day 11 but not any other postoperative day (POD). Proximal colostomy does not appear to exert adverse effects on colorectal anastomotic healing. The choice of colorectal anastomotic technique should not be influenced by the need for proximal colostomy.Read at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, St. Louis, Missouri, April 29 to May 4, 1990.Winner of the Ohio Valley Colon and Rectal Surgeons Award.     

Spider Angiomas in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis: Role of Alcoholism and Impaired Liver Function

A study was undertaken to compare two new methods of capillary blood flow measurement, namely fluorescein flowmetry (FF) and laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF). The blood flow was measured in a pelvic pouch during its construction and in the completed ileoanal anastomosis in 12 patients. There was a high correlation between the two methods (correlation coefficient, 0.78) (p <0.01) when the blood flow was measured in the pelvic pouch. The correlation coefficient between the two methods for the difference between the blood flow in the pelvic pouch at the site of the planned anastomosis when the pouch resided in the abdomen and that in the completed ileoanal anastomosis was r = 0.99 (n = 12, p< 0.001); the reduction amounted to 25% as measured by FF and 27% as measured by LDF (n = 12, p < 0.01). All ileoanal anastomoses healed perfectly, the lowest FF and LDF values being 0.004 density units/sec and 0.3 V, respectively. The results indicate that either method can be considered for measuring capillary blood flow.