New healing agent for colonic anastomosis

This study evaluated the healing property, on colonic anastomoses, of a new compound termed RGTA11 (standing for "regenerating agent," a dextran derivative with heparin-like properties). Colonic anastomoses were performed in 183 adult rats after dipping both ends of the colon in solutions containing RGTA11. The anastomoses were made end-to-end on a single plan, 8 sutures. Healing was evaluated mechanically by the bursting pressure in 108 animals and histological analysis in 75. Results indicated that after 48 h RGTA11-treated animals presented a twofold increased resistance to anastomoses breakage (P < 0.01) over nontreated (saline buffer) animals. After 96 h and until day 7 there was no longer a difference between study and control animals. Although this difference in breakage was not readily observed at histological level, results suggest that RGTA11 could be used to aid colonic anastomosis healing. RGTA11 is of potential clinical interest in this regard since complications that are known to occur postoperatively result from early leakage.