Effect of 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin on the healing of intestinal anastomosis.

OBJECTIVE Antineoplastic agents affect the healing of intestinal anastomosis. The aim was to evaluate the effect of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and mitomycin on the healing of the intestinal anastomosis and their schedule of administration. MATERIAL AND METHODS Eighty-nine male albino Charles Foster rats with a mean weight of 256.57 g were divided into six groups. Group A represents the control, while in others varying schedules of chemotherapy (5-FU and mitomycin) were administered. The sacrifices were made on days 7, 14 and 21 postoperatively and bursting pressure and hydroxyproline content were measured. RESULTS Nine rats died before completion of the experiment and were excluded. Adhesions were noted in all rats on sacrifice. The mean bursting pressure of normal intestine (group A) was 252 mm Hg. The bursting pressure was lower on day 7 (208 mm Hg) and it subsequently increased by day 21 (230 mm Hg). The mean bursting pressure in groups B, C, D and E was 174, 194, 182 and 188 mm Hg and it subsequently increased to 232, 272, 244 and 286 mm Hg. There was no difference in the pattern of bursting pressure in colon and ileum. The mean hydroxyproline content of ileum (group A) on day 7 was 34.37 mg/g tissue. The hydroxyproline content of the ileum in groups B, C, D and E was 15.08, 27.03, 7.75 and 21.04 mg/g tissue. There was a significant decrease in hydroxyproline content following anastomosis and chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS The effect of chemotherapy was pronounced when administered on the day of surgery or in the immediate pre- or postoperative period. Hence administration of chemotherapy during this period may be harmful.