Obstructive jaundice may influence skin and smal bowel healing. The effects of obstructive jaundice on skin suture and jejunal anastomoses were assessed on 32 rats, divided into four groups (n=8). The animals were sacrificed at postoperative days seven and 14 days. All animals underwent to laparotomy and jejunal anastomoses. The rats of groups 3 and 4 were also submitted to biliopancreatic duct ligature. The jaundiced rats showed a significant weight loss, in seven days after surgery (p<O,O5). The resistance of jejunal anastomosis decreased after 14 days of jaundice (p<O,O1). However; this condition did not interfere with the skin healing. Histological study showed reduced amount of fibrosis surrounding the anastomoses of the jaundiced rats. The results of the present study suggest that obstructive jaundice interfere negatively with the healing of jejunal anastomoses. However; other factors related to jaundice must be considered as well.
Obstructive jaundice; Jejunal anastomoses; Weight; Wound healing; Resistance; Histology