Can leakage be prevented in ischemic colon anastomosis? Rat models with dermalix

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Dermalix®(Dx) on wound healing and anastomotic leakage in a rat ischemic colon anastomosis model. Materials and Methods: In the design of the study, 40 rats were divided into 3 groups; negative control group (10 rats), control group (15 rats) and experimental group (15 rats). Only laparotomy was performed in the negative control group, ischemia and end-to-end colon anastomosis was created in the control group and in the experimental group, ischemia was created and Dx application was performed with end-to-end colon anastomosis. The rats were sacrificed on the 7th postoperative day, and burst pressure was measured in the resected colon anastomoses, and the presence of adhesion, neutrophil infiltration, local inflammation, epithelial regeneration, granulation tissue formation, neovascularization, collagenization, and foreign body reaction were evaluated. Results: Limited abscess formation due to anastomotic leakage was observed in 2 rats in the control group and in 1 rat in the experimental group. Burst pressures was calculated as 134.7 mmHg in the control group and 194.7 mmHg in the experimental group. There was a statistically significant increase in burst pressure in the experimental group (p=0.005). No statistically significant difference was found in neutrophil infiltration, local inflammation, epithelial regeneration and granulation tissue formation, which are the first stages of wound healing. Neovascularization and collagenization were more prominent in the experimental group (p=.00, p=0.032), and it was observed that Dx contributed to wound healing by increasing neovascularization. There was no significant difference between foreign body reaction and adhesion formation. Conclusion: Dx is seen as a promising technology in preventing anastomotic leakage, especially considering its positive effects on burst pressure, neovascularization and collagenization.