Effects of Oral Pirfenidone on Colon Anastomosis Healing and Adhesion Formation in Rats.

INTRODUCTION: Many experimental studies have examined multiple drugs or treatments to improve the healing of intestinal anastomoses. Synthetic prostacyclin analogs, immunosuppressants, erythropoietin, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor type 1, synthetic metalloproteinases inhibitors, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy have produced promising results in low-risk models of anastomosis dehiscence. However, in high-risk models, only hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been shown to be useful. Pirfenidone (PFD), a commonly used antifibrosing drug, has not been shown to be effective for this purpose. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of PFD on anastomosis healing and adhesion genesis in a low-risk rat model of dehiscence of colonic anastomosis. METHODS: An experimental study was conducted on 40 healthy Wistar rats randomly assigned to the control group or PFD experimental group (20 rats in each group). Colon anastomosis was performed 3 cm above the peritoneal reflection using the same technique in all animals. Mechanical resistance was studied by measuring bursting pressure. Adhesions were evaluated macroscopic and histologically using common staining techniques. Animals received the first PFD dose 12 h after surgery at a dose of 500 mg/kg one a day (SID) for 5 consecutive days. On day 6, the animals were reoperated on to measure the bursting pressure in situ and to classify adhesions macroscopically, and the anastomosed colon was resected for histological analysis. RESULTS: There were no deaths, complications, or anastomosis dehiscence in either group. The mean bursting pressure was 120.8 ± 11 mm Hg and 135.5 ± 12.4 in the control and PFD groups, respectively (p < 0.001). The adhesions were less dense and had less inflammatory cell infiltration in the PFD group (p < 0.02 and 0.002, respectively). Collagen content was slightly higher in the PFD group (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed favorable effects of PFD in this low-risk colon anastomosis model; for example, the bursting pressure was higher, and the macroscopic adhesions were soft and exhibited less inflammatory infiltration and higher collagen content in the PFD group than in the control group. The results showing that PFD treatment was associated with better healing of minor adhesions seem to be paradoxical because the therapeutic indications for this drug are directed at treating fibrosing diseases.

Relapsing massive metal bezoar: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Bezoars are uncommon findings in the gastrointestinal tract and are composed of a wide variety of materials. We report a case of a relapsing metal bezoar in a man with schizophrenia. CASE PRESENTATION: A 34-year-old man presented with a history of sub-acute onset of mild diffuse abdominal pain and abdominal distention. Physical examination revealed dullness to percussion in the upper and lower left quadrants. Past medical history was remarkable for epilepsy, schizophrenia and previous abdominal surgery for intestinal occlusion. Plain radiographs revealed objects of metal density contained within a dilated stomach. Celiotomy was performed revealing more than 350 metal objects inside the stomach. The patient was discharged and referred to a psychiatric facility. CONCLUSION: Intestinal occlusion in patients with psychiatric disorders can result from rare causes such as bezoars. This report alerts surgeons to rule out bezoars in the differential diagnosis of intestinal occlusion in people with mental health problems.

Role of fibrin glue in the prevention of cervical leakage and strictures after esophageal reconstruction of caustic injury.

BACKGROUND: The colon is the organ most commonly used for esophageal reconstruction after severe caustic injury. Complications of cervical anastomosis are very common. Fibrin sealant may reduce the incidence of complications in this high-risk anastomosis. The purpose of the present study was to assess the role of fibrin glue in the prevention of leakage and stricture at cervical coloesophageal anastomoses in children treated with esophageal reconstruction after caustic injury. METHODS: This was a case-control study of children with caustic esophageal injury treated surgically with esophageal reconstruction over a 10-year period. In the study group 3-4 ml of fibrin glue was placed over the anastomosis. The following variables were assessed: age, sex, weight, leakage or stricture at the cervical anastomosis, morbidity, and mortality. RESULTS: The study group included 14 children, and the control group included 24 children. There were no differences in the distributions of sex, age, anthropometric variables, or preoperative laboratory test results. All children underwent esophageal replacement with colon substitution through the retrosternal space. Dehiscence and leakage at the cervical anastomosis were observed in 50% of children in the control group and 28.5% of children in the study group (P = 0.17). Strictures were observed in 7.15% of the study group and 20.8% of the control group, and 5 and 17 children, respectively, developed cervical complications (P = 0.03). There were no differences in major complications, and mortality was similar in the two groups (P = 0.60). CONCLUSIONS: Fibrin glue, when used as a sealant for cervical coloesophageal anastomosis, can reduce the risk of leakage and stricture.