BACKGROUND: Our objective is to evaluate the effects of the proximal colostomy on the healing of colonic anastomosis in rats with intestinal obstruction. METHOD: 72 rats were allocated into three goups: control group (C) with no intestinal occlusion, was subjected to colonic anastomosis and proximal colostomy; non-colostomy group (SC) with 72 hours left colon obstruction under went a colonic ressection and primary anastomosis; colostomy group (CC) with a 72 hours left colon obstruction of and a colonic ressection, primary anastomosis and proximal colostomy. Anastomosis healing was evaluated by the presence of anastomotic leaking and mucosal line, adhesions, bursting presure, conventional and computerized histologic examination at the 2nd and 7th potoperative days. RESULTS: The incidence of anastomotic leaking was 12,5% in group SC while in group CC there was an incidence of colostomy complications in 13%, with no significant statistical difference. No difference was noticied in the other healing anastomotic variables. CONCLUSIONS: There is no difference in the healing of colonic anastomosis related to the presence or abscence of a proximal colostomy, in rats with intestinal obstruction.
Colostomy; Intestinal obstruction; Colon
