OBJECTIVE: The effects of vitamin C and hidrocortisone on anastomotic healing process are controversial. The objective of the present paper was to compare the jejunal anastomotic tension in different postoperative periods. METHODS: 40 male rats weighing 200 to 400 grams were submitted to laparotomy. The jejunum was transversally cut 10 cm from the duodenojejunal flexure, and subsequently anastomosed. The rats were divided into four groups (n=10). Group I - control, Group II - oral administration of vitamin C (100 mg/kg), Group III - intraperitoneal administration of hidrocortisone (10 mg/kg), and Group IV - administration of vitamin C and hidrocortisone at the above mentioned doses. The anastomotic resistance was determined by using bursting pressure test on the 5th and 21st postoperative days. RESULTS: The resistances of the groups with vitamin C, isolated or associated to hidrocortisone trend to be higher in both postoperative periods. However, the administration of intraperitoneal steroid did not change the resistance of murine jejunal anastomosis. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that vitamin C enhances the resistance of jejunal anastomosis in the rat.
Healing; Ascorbic Acid; Hidrocortisone
