Early effects of vitamin E on wound healing in the rat colonic anastomosis model

Aim: Complications such as anastomotic leak and anastomotic stricture after gastrointestinal system surgery are important causes of morbidity and mortality, and significantly affect the length of hospital stay and the cost of treatment. The efficiency of the wound healing process is extremely important in the development of these complications. One of the most powerful antioxidants known in the body is vitamin E. There is not enough information about the effects of vitamin E on wound healing in general and on wound healing specifically in the gastrointestinal system. In this experimental study, it was aimed to investigate the early effects of vitamin E on the healing of colon anastomosis in a rat colonic anastomosis model Material and method: In the study, 48 Wistar-albino rats were divided into four groups, colonic anastomosis was performed under ketamine anesthesia, two different doses of vitamin E were given to the treatment groups, and olive oil was given to the control group. On the 7th day after the anastomosis, the anastomotic segment was resected and the groups were compared in terms of anastomotic bursting pressures, tissue hydroxyproline levels and oxidative stress indices. In addition, the frequency of anastomotic leakage was compared between the groups. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of colon anastomosis bursting pressure (p = 0.245), tissue hydroxyproline level after anastomosis (p = 0.163) and frequency of anastomosis leakage (p = 0.517). Conclusion: The findings indicate that vitamin E does not have a negative effect on colon anastomosis healing in the early period of wound healing. Apart from antioxidant effects of vitamin E, it is thought that it may need to be administered in higher doses, as well as the possibility of its effect with different mechanisms.