Effects of abdominal sepsis in the healing of abdominal wall: experimental study in rats.

PURPOSE To evaluate the influence of sepsis in the process of wound healing in the abdominal wall. METHODS 40 rats divided into two groups of twenty animals: group of study (E) - septic, and the control group (C) - not septic. The two groups were divided into subgroups of 10 to be killed on the third day (n = 10) or seventh (n = 10) postoperative. Sepsis was induced by ligation and puncture of the cecum. We performed also the section and anastomosis in left colon. The synthesis of the abdominal wall was made with 3-0 silk thread. On the day of re-laparotomy, the abdominal wall was removed for analysis of the breaking strength and histopathological analysis. RESULTS The mean breaking strength was at third day: E group (1.44 ± 1.22) and C group (0.35 ± 0.46). At seventh day the mean breaking strength was: E group (13.01 ± 7.09) and C group (11.66 ± 7.38). There was statistical difference in tensile strength. E group at third day with control group (p = 0.019). CONCLUSION The induction of peritoneal sepsis reduced the breaking strength of the abdominal wall on the third day after surgery.