Improving Organ Salvage in Testicular Torsion: Comparative Study of Patients Undergoing vs Not Undergoing Preoperative Manual Detorsion.

PURPOSE: We compared surgical outcomes between patients undergoing and those not undergoing preoperative manual detorsion for intravaginal testicular torsion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients treated surgically for testicular torsion who were examined within 24 hours of symptoms at our emergency department between January 2012 and September 2015. Explanatory variables were age, presentation delay (time between symptoms and urological examination), surgical wait time (time from examination to surgery), and whether manual detorsion was attempted and, if attempted, was declared successful. End points were surgical outcome (orchiopexy, orchiectomy) and testicular rotation at surgery. Statistical analysis included nonparametric tests and logistic regression. Statistical significance and confidence intervals were set at p <0.05 and 0.95, respectively. RESULTS: Detorsion was attempted in 76 of 133 cases (57.1%) and was successful in 72 (95.1%). Patient age (median 15.6 vs 17.4 years, p = 0.115), presentation delay (6.6 vs 6.3 hours, p = 1.0) and surgical wait time (3.5 vs 3.2 hours, p = 0.412) were comparable between patients who underwent manual detorsion attempt and those who did not. Testicular rotation was less among successfully detorsed patients. Orchiectomy was performed in 2 of 72 successfully detorsed patients (2.8%), compared to 15 of 61 patients (24.6%) in whom detorsion was not attempted or was unsuccessful (OR 11.23, p = 0.0002). Logistic regression indicated that surgical wait time (OR 0.95, p = 0.002) and successful detorsion (OR 17.38, p = 0.001) were independently associated with orchiopexy. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative manual detorsion was associated with improved surgical salvage in patients with testicular torsion.

The Amount of spermatic cord rotation magnifies the timerelated orchidectomy risk in intravaginal testicular torsion.

PURPOSE: To investigate the roles of age, testicular rotation and time in the surgical outcome of intravaginal testicular torsion (iTT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrieved the records of all iTT patients treated in our unit from January 2012 to January 2014. Explanatory variables were: age (years); presentation delay (PrD, time between symptoms and hospitalization); surgical delay (SurgD, time between hospitalization and surgery) and testicular rotation (rotation), with surgical outcome (orchidopexy, orchidectomy) as response variable. Differences in PrD, SurgD, age and rotation by surgical outcome were evaluated non-parametrically. Stepdown logistic regression included age, PrD, SurgD and rotation as predictors. Statistical significance and confidence intervals (CI) were set at p<0.05 and 0.95. Odds ratios (OR) were computed from the model's coefficients. RESULTS: Complete variable information was available for 117 patients, and most (61, 52.1%) underwent orchidectomy. Ages were similar between orchidectomy and orchidopexy patients (median 15.8 vs. 16.0 years, p=0.78). In contrast, PrD (85.0 vs. 8.4 hours, p<0.001), SurgD (3.0 vs. 16.0 hours, p<0.001) were different between orchidectomy and orchidopexy patients. SurgD was similar with PrD<24 hours (4.0 vs. 2.8, p=0.1). Orchidectomy patients had greater rotation (3.0π vs. 2.0π radians, p<0.001). Logistic regression revealed that PrD (OR 0.94; 0.92-0.97; p<0.001) and rotation (OR 0.43; 0.27-0.70; p<0.001) were inversely associated with orchidopexy. CONCLUSION: Testicular rotation exerts a multiplicative effect on PrD, so time should not be regarded as the sole predictor of surgical outcome in iTT.

Do young patients have different clinical presentation of colorectal cancer causing delay in diagnosis?

PURPOSE: The incidence of colorectal cancer is increasing among young patients. In these patients, colorectal cancer is believed to have a poorer prognosis because it is more aggressive and diagnosed at later stages; however, the behavior of these tumors in young patients remains to be elucidated. We investigated the impact of time interval between onset of symptoms and diagnosis (TISD) at the pathologic stage of colorectal cancer in young patients. METHODS: The medical records of 215 patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma were reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups according to age. The young group (age < 50 years) consisted of 66 patients, and the older group (age ≥ 50 years) of 149 patients. Clinical variables, TISD, pathologic stage, operative mortality, and oncologic outcomes were compared between groups. RESULTS: The older group had less abdominal pain (74.0 vs. 56.0 %, p = 0.0129). In multivariate analysis, the following variables were independently associated with tumor pathologic stage: personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (p < 0.0001), family history of familial adenomatous polyposis (p = 0.00100), and smoking (p = 0.0070). Both groups had similar rates regarding pathologic stage (I, 15 vs. 22 %; II, 22 vs. 24 %; III, 27 vs. 16 %; IV, 37 vs. 38 %, p = 0.3380). There was no difference in overall survival [45 (69 %) vs. 84 (61 %), p = 0.2482] and cancer-free survival [36 (63 %) vs. 83 (62 %), p = 0.9218] between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Young patients with colorectal cancer had clinical and pathological presentation similar to that of older patients.

Long-term results of the Modified Thal procedure in patients with chagasic megaesophagus.

BACKGROUND: Chagas disease is a serious public health issue in South and Central America due to its high prevalence, morbidity, and mortality. The esophageal form of the disease leads to achalasia and consequent megaesophagus. In advanced or recurrent cases of megaesophagus, there is no consensus for which of three established techniques-the Serra-Dória procedure, subtotal esophagectomy, or Modified Thal cardioplasty-is best. Very few studies have investigated the average efficacy and long-term outcomes of the Thal procedure. The present study sought to bridge this gap. METHODS: The Modified Thal procedure was performed in 29 patients at Hospital Universitário de Brasília between 1998 and 2008. All underwent clinical and nutritional evaluation, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UDE) with chromoscopy, esophageal manometry, and 24-h pH monitoring. RESULTS: Overall, 86 % experienced resolution of all symptoms after surgery. Most patients were classified as Visick grade I, II, or III. The average body mass index was 22.7 kg/m(2). UDE showed normal mucosa in 76 % of patients, and 11 % had unstained areas on chromoscopy. Esophageal manometry demonstrated incomplete lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation in 50 % of patients, complete LES relaxation in 21 %, and no LES relaxation in 29 %. All showed complete relaxation of the upper esophageal sphincter. On 24-h pH monitoring, reflux was pathological in 50 % of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the modified Thal procedure improved symptoms-namely, dysphagia to liquids with resulting weight loss and malnutrition-in patients with megaesophagus. No correlations were found between clinical complaints, endoscopic findings, and degree of manometric abnormality in these patients.

Transmural Migration of Gossypiboma with Intraluminal Small-Bowel Obstruction: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND The term "gossypiboma" refers to a textile matrix surrounded by a foreign-body reaction. Gauze, surgical dressings, and sponges are the most frequently retained materials after abdominal surgeries. The incidence is variable and underreported, mostly due to the legal consequences of their discovery, but also because many patients remain asymptomatic. Retained material can penetrate the bowel or bladder, leading to malabsorption, partial or complete bowel obstruction, and gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to vessel erosion. CASE REPORT A 26-year-old woman with a 10-month history of abdominal pain and distension presented with intraluminal small-bowel obstruction due to transmural migration of a gossypiboma. Prior to presentation at our service, she had undergone an exploratory laparotomy at another hospital due a locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the rectosigmoid junction. CONCLUSIONS Gossypibomas are rare causes of bowel obstruction, but must not be overlooked in the differential diagnosis of patients with a history of laparotomy. Continuous training of medical professionals and strict adherence to proper surgical technique are essential to avoid this problem.

Biomarkers in Colorectal Cancer: The Role of Translational Proteomics Research.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world, and it is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death. Despite recent progress in the development of screening programs and in the management of patients with colorectal cancer, there are still many gaps to fill, ranging from the prevention and early diagnosis to the determination of prognosis factors and treatment of metastatic disease, to establish a personalized approach. The genetic profile approach has been increasingly used in the decision-making process, especially in the choice of targeted therapies and in the prediction of drug response, but there are still few validated biomarkers of colorectal cancer for clinical practice. The discovery of non-invasive, sensitive, and specific biomarkers is an urgent need, and translational proteomics play a key role in this process, as they enable better comprehension of colorectal carcinogenesis, identification of potential markers, and subsequent validation. This review provides an overview of recent advances in the search for colorectal cancer biomarkers through proteomics studies according to biomarker function and clinical application.

Identification of potential urinary protein biomarkers in colorectal cancer: a pilot study using a proteomic approach

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the most diagnosed malignancies worldwide, and it is also the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Despite recent progress in screening programs, noninvasive accurate biomarkers are still needed in the CRC field. In this study, we evaluated and compared the urinary proteomic profiles of patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma and patients without cancer, aiming to identify potential biomarker proteins. Urine samples were collected from 9 patients with CRC and 9 patients with normal colonoscopy results. Mass spectrometry (label-free LC—MS/MS) was used to characterize the proteomic profile of the groups. Ten proteins that were differentially regulated were identified between patients in the experimental group and in the control group, with statistical significance with a p value ≤ 0.05. The only protein that presented upregulation in the CRC group was beta-2-microglobulin (B2M). Subsequent studies are needed to evaluate patients through different analysis approaches to independently verify and validate these biomarker candidates in a larger cohort sample. (AU)

Histopathologic evaluation of the peritoneum exposed to heat shock: experimental study in rats.

PURPOSE: To evaluate histopathologic alterations of the peritoneum exposed to heat shock. METHODS: Sixty rats were randomly distributed into 6 groups: Heat Shock (HS), High Temperature (HT), Body Temperature (BT), Temperature 0oC (TZ), Sham (SH) and Control (CG) with 10 animals each. The peritoneal cavity of animals from groups HS, HT, BT and TZ was irrigated with NaCl solution 0.9% at temperatures 50 degrees C, 0 degrees C, 50 degrees C, 37 degrees C and 0 degrees C, respectively. For animals from group SH, the procedures were simulated and those from group CG, laparotomy and biopsies were conducted. Twenty-four hours later, biopsies of the peritoneum for exams under light and electronic microscopy were performed. RESULTS: Edema was found in groups HS 80%, HT 60%, BT 30% TZ 70%, SH 40% and CG 30%. Vascular congestion was found in groups HS 20%, HT 30%, BT 10% and TZ 20%. Erythrocyte extravasation was found in groups HT 60% and SH 10%. Mesothelium destruction was found in 100% of specimens from groups HS, HT, BT, TZ, SH and CG 90%. Necrosis was found in groups HS 30%, HT 20% and BT 10%. The mean peritoneal thickness ranged from 42.26 microm (TZ) to 26.42 microm (CG). CONCLUSION: The heat shock caused no deaths, but promoted significant peritoneal edema without affecting the other histopathologic indicatives.

Pneumoretroperitoneum and Sepsis After Transanal Endoscopic Resection of a Rectal Lateral Spreading Tumor.

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery is considered a safe, appropriate, and minimally invasive approach, and complications after endoscopic microsurgery are rare. We report a case of sepsis and pneumoretroperitoneum after resection of a rectal lateral spreading tumor. The patient presented with rectal mucous discharge. Colonoscopy revealed a rectal lateral spreading tumor. The patient underwent an endoscopic transanal resection of the lesion. He presented with sepsis of the abdominal focus, and imaging tests revealed pneumoretroperitoneum. A new surgical intervention was performed with a loop colostomy. Despite the existence of other reports on pneumoretroperitoneum after transanal endoscopic microsurgery, what draws attention to this case is the association with sepsis.

Effects of enoxaparin on the healing of abdominal wall in rats: study on breaking strength and histopathology.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of enoxaparin on the abdominal wall healing. METHODS: Sixty Wistar male rats were randomly distributed into two experimental groups. Group E: consisted of 30 rats, submitted to abdominal suture and treated with enoxaparin in a dose of 1 mg/kg of body weight, subcutaneously administered from immediate postoperative until the 7th day; Group C: consisted of 30 rats submitted to abdominal suture and treated with the equivalent dose per volume of NaCl 0.9%. The animals were submitted to median laparotomy and were operated again at the 3rd, 7th or 14th postoperative day for the resection of the anterior abdominal wall. The tissue's stretching resistance was tested and a histopathological evaluation was performed. Through Mann-Whitney's U test, a statistical analysis was conducted considering significant values for p <0.05. RESULTS: The tensile breaking strength presented a median of 0.64N for group C and 0.41N for group E (p=0.60) at the 3rd postoperative day; of 2.27N for group C and of 4.32N for group E (p=0.01) at the 7th POD; of 5.72N for group C and of 6.62N for group E (p=0.97) at the 14th POD. In relation to the histopathological study, the results did not show significant statistical differences, except for the amount of collagen at the 7th POD, which medians were 2 on group C and 1 on group E (p=0.007). CONCLUSION: Considering the conditions in which this study was conducted, the administration of enoxaparin led to an strengthening of the tissue's breaking resistance at the 7th POD; on the histopathological exam, a significant difference was observed at the 7th POD, with a better collagen disposition on group C.

Influence of patient age and colorectal polyp size on histopathology findings.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality and can arise through the adenoma-carcinoma sequence. Colonoscopy is considered the method of choice for population-wide cancer screening. AIM: To assess the characteristics of endoscopically resected polyps in a consecutive series of patients who underwent colonoscopy at a university hospital and compare histopathology findings according to patient age and polyp size. METHODS: Retrospective, cross-sectional of 1950 colonoscopy reports from consecutively examined patients. The sample was restricted to reports that mentioned colorectal polyps. A chart review was carried out for collection of demographic data and histopathology results. Data were compared for polyps sized ≤0.5 cm and ≥0.6 cm and then for polyps sized ≤1.0 cm and ≥1.1 cm. Finally, all polyps resected from patients aged 49 years or younger were compared with those resected from patients aged 50 years or older. RESULTS: A total of 272 colorectal polyps were resected in 224 of the 1950 colonoscopies included in the sample (11.5%). Polyps >1 cm tended to be pedunculated (p=0.000) and were more likely to exhibit an adenomatous component (p=0.001), a villous component (p=0.000), and dysplasia (p=0.003). These findings held true when the size cutoff was set at 0.5 cm. Patients aged 50 years or older were more likely to have sessile polyps (p=0.023) and polyps located in the proximal colon (p=0.009). There were no significant differences between groups in histopathology or presence of dysplasia. CONCLUSION: Polyp size is associated with presence of adenomas, a villous component, and dysplasia, whereas patient age is more frequently associated with sessile polyps in the proximal colon.

Hybrid capture II and PapilloCheck® tests for detection of anal high-risk human papillomavirus.

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated the level of concordance between hybrid capture II (HCII) and PapilloCheck® for the detection of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) in anal samples. METHODS: Anal cell samples collected from 42 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)+ patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Considering only the 13 high-risk HPV types that are detectable by both tests, HCII was positive for 52.3% of the samples, and PapilloCheck® was positive for 52.3%. The level of concordance was 80.9% (Kappa = 0.61). CONCLUSIONS: Good concordance was observed between the tests for the detection of high-risk HPV.

A comparative study between conventional and liquid-based cytology in screening for anal intraepithelial lesions in HIV-positive patients.

Anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) is associated with HPV infection and can be detected by cytological screening. While conventional exfoliative cytology (CC) is a low-cost and nonaggressive method, liquid-based cytology (LBC) tends to give clearer readings. Although studies of the efficacy of anal cancer screening methods would be of great importance for groups at high risk for AIN, few such studies have been conducted. The aim of the present study was to assess the concordance of CC and LBC in diagnosing anal pre-neoplastic lesions, and to compare cytological results with anoscopy, histopathological, and molecular biology findings. Comparative study involving 33 HIV-positive patients, who underwent anoscopy and biopsy of suspected lesions. Concordance between the two cytology methods was calculated, as were the associations between cytology results and findings from other screening methods. A total of 54.5% of cases were considered AIN-negative by CC and LBC, and concordance between the two methods was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Anoscopy was negative in 15 of the 18 CC- and LBC-negative cases. CC identified 75% of patients with positive biopsy, while LBC identified 85.71% of these patients. Molecular biology results showed that patients with LSIL tested positive for the highest number of HPV subtypes. The associations between positive biopsy and high grade HPV, HPV 16, and multiple HPV infections were not statistically significant. Conventional and liquid-based cytology are equally effective in screening for anal preneoplastic lesions.

Correlation between bursting pressure and breaking strength in colonic anastomosis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the correlation between bursting pressure and breaking strength on the 7th postoperative day following left colonic anastomosis in rats. METHODS: Seventy rats were randomly divided into seven groups of ten animals each. All of the animals underwent segmental resection of the left colon and end-to-end anastomosis. The animals in groups I to VI underwent surgical laparoscopies with pneumoperitoneums using carbon dioxide or helium at pressures of 5, 12 or 20 mmHg. In Group VII, open laparotomy was performed. The animals were reoperated on postoperative day 7 to measure the bursting pressure and the breaking strength of the anastomosis. RESULTS: The anastomosis bursting pressure in 70 animals was 193.10±55.56 mmHg. There was no significant difference between the groups (p=0.786). The breaking strength of the anastomosis was 0.26±0.12 N. There was no significant difference between the groups (p=0.356). Pearson's correlation test showed a low correlation (r=0.231) lacking statistical significance (p=0.054). CONCLUSION: There was no correlation between the bursting pressure and breaking strength of left colonic anastomoses in rats on the 7th postoperative day.

Effects of metoclopramide on healing of colonic anastomoses in a rat model of abdominal sepsis.

INTRODUCTION: Metoclopramide is often used in the treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting, but a literature review failed to find reports on the influence of this drug on the healing of bowel anastomoses in the setting of abdominal sepsis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of metoclopramide on the healing of left colonic anastomoses in rats with induced abdominal sepsis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty rats were divided into two groups of 20 animals each to receive either metoclopramide (experimental group: E) or saline (control group: C). Each group was further divided into subgroups of 10 animals each to be killed on the third (E3 and C3) or seventh postoperative day (E7 and C7). A segmental resection of the left colon was performed, followed by end-to-end anastomosis. Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture. On the day of reoperation, the total number of adhesions was assessed and the anastomosed bowel segment was removed for tensile strength testing, histopathological analysis, measurement of hydroxyproline levels, and histomorphometric evaluation of collagen. RESULTS: Intraoperative findings, number of intra-abdominal adhesions in the anastomosed area, and tensile strength before anastomosis rupture were similar among all subgroups at all assessments. On the third postoperative day, the anastomoses of animals treated with metoclopramide showed significantly lower hydroxyproline levels (p = 0.01) when compared with controls. Collagen content was similar among all subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Metoclopramide does not have deleterious effects on the healing of bowel anastomoses in rats subjected to experimental abdominal sepsis.

Anorectal manometry evaluation in adult women with clinical and urodynamic diagnostics of overactive bladder.

BACKGROUND: Anorectal manometry is a diagnostic method often used in clinical practice for assessing functional anorectal disorders and pelvic floor. The dysfunctional voiding, anorectal and pelvic floor has been considered as contributing factors of the symptoms of overactive bladder. AIM: To evaluate the results with anorectal manometry in adult women with clinical and urodynamic diagnostics of overactive bladder. METHODS: Twenty-five adult women (mean age 45.5 ± 11.9 years) with clinical and urodynamic diagnostic of overactive bladder underwent anorectal manometry and the results of this assessment were compared to a control group of eighteen women (mean age 33.9 ± 10.7 years) with no urinary or intestinal disorders and without clinical criteria for diagnosis of overactive bladder. RESULTS: Paradoxical puborectalis contraction occurred in six patients in the overactive bladder group and none of the controls. There were no significant between group differences in the following manometric parameters: rectoanal inhibitory reflex, rectal sensitivity, maximum tolerable volume, resting pressure, and hypertonia at rest. Mean squeeze pressure was 182.2 mmHg in the overactive bladder group versus 148.1 mmHg in the control group. CONCLUSION: Women with overactive bladder had increased incidence of paradoxical puborectalis contraction than women in the control group.

Value of human papillomavirus typing for detection of anal cytological abnormalities.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate anal cytology and human papillomavirus (HPV) typing in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anal samples were collected from 61 patients (44 men and 17 women) and analyzed by PapilloCheck test and conventional cytology. RESULTS: Of all anal samples, 37.7% had cytological abnormalities, 47.54% were negative and 14.75% were unsatisfactory. High-risk HPV, multiple high-risk HPV and HPV 16 infection was detected in 91.13%, 78.26% and 47.82% of the samples with cytological abnormalities and in 47.54%, 6.89% and 3.44% of the negative samples, respectively. High-risk HPV infection was significantly more frequent in anal samples with cytological abnormalities than in negative samples (P = 0.0005, Fisher's test), particularly multiple high-risk HPV infection (P < 0.0001) and HPV 16 infection (P = 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: High-risk HPV, multiple high-risk HPV and HPV 16 infections are significantly associated with anal cytological abnormalities. Furthermore, the frequency of HPV infection in anal cytological samples suggests that high-risk HPV detection has high sensitivity, but low specificity for detection of anal cytological abnormalities, but multiple high-risk HPV typing and HPV 16 typing have a lower sensitivity and high specificity. Results suggest that HPV typing may be useful as an adjunct to cytology to screen patients for high-resolution anoscopy and biopsy.

Uncovering the neuroenteric-pulmonary axis: vagal nerve stimulation prevents acute lung injury following hemorrhagic shock.

AIMS: Trauma/hemorrhagic shock (T/HS) induced gut injury is known to initiate a systemic inflammatory response which can lead to secondary lung injury. We have shown that vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) protects intestinal epithelial integrity after a severe burn insult. We hypothesize that VNS will protect the lung from injury following T/HS by preventing intestinal barrier failure. MAIN METHODS: Male Balb/c mice were subjected to a T/HS model with and without cervical VNS. Intestinal injury was evaluated by measuring changes in gut barrier function and tight junction protein localization. Lung injury was evaluated using histology and markers of lung inflammation. Using NF-kB-luciferase (NF-kB-luc) transgenic mice, NF-kb-DNA binding was measured by photon emission analysis at 4 after injury. KEY FINDINGS: T/HS is associated gut injury characterized by histologic injury, increased epithelial permeability, and altered localization of gut tight junction proteins. Cervical VNS prevented the T/HS-induced changes in gut barrier integrity. Gut injury after T/HS was associated with acute lung injury at 24 h characterized by histologic injury, increased number of MPO positive stained cells and MPO enzymatic activity, and increased ICAM-1 expression in lung endothelium. VNS decreased T/HS-induced lung injury with a marked decrease in lung inflammation compared to T/HS alone. Lungs harvested from NF-kB-luc mice at 4h post VNS+T/HS demonstrated decreased DNA binding of NF-kB compared to T/HS alone as measured by changes in bioluminescence. SIGNIFICANCE: VNS is effective in protecting against acute lung injury caused by hemorrhagic shock through its ability to prevent gut barrier dysfunction.

The effect of carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum on the healing colonic anastomosis in rats.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of pneumoperitoneum on colonic anastomosis healing. METHODS: Colonic anastomosis was performed in 120 rats divided into four groups: Group I - pneumoperitoneum before laparotomy, Group II - pneumoperitoneum after laparorrhaphy, Group III - pneumoperitoneum before laparotomy and after laparorrhaphy, Group IV - no pneumoperitoneum (control group). Pneumoperitoneum pressure was 5 mmHg. Animals were killed on the 3rd, 7th and 14th postoperative day. Histopathological features, anastomosis breaking strength, collagen histomorphometry and hydroxyproline concentration were assessed. RESULTS: Breaking strength between groups: (day 3, p=0.165; day 7, p=0.219; day 14, p=0.539). Histopathology revealed that group II had, on day 7, less infiltration of mononuclear cells (p=0.006), greater infiltration of polymorphonuclear cells (p=0.001) and greater necrosis (p=0.001); and on day 14, less fibrosis. Histomorphometry revealed a decrease in collagen in groups I and III (p<0.001) on day 7 and an increase in groups I and II on day 14 (p<0.001). Hydroxyproline concentration was similar for groups on days 3 (p=0.152), 7 (p=0.913) or 14 (p=0.981). CONCLUSION: Carbon dioxide does not impair the healing of colonic anastomosis in rats.