BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leakage is a major cause of mortality in colorectal surgery. Several methods have been evaluated in order to prevent anastomotic leakage, and was postulate that povidone-iodine irrigation of colon before anastomosis can improve anastomotic healing, prevent adhesion formation, and may be beneficial in patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery. AIM: To evaluates the efficacy of this agent in healing of colonic anastomosis in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty Wistar rats were divided into two groups: Group A (n = 10), cleaning of anastomotic borders with saline solution, and group B (n = 10), cleaning of anastomotic borders with 5% povidone-iodine. The animals were submitted to laparotomy, section of colon and treatment according previously described. After anastomosis, the animals were observed, and killed in 7th postoperative day. Blood samples were collected to serum albumin measurement and anastomosis observed macroscopically in relation to presence of fistula, adhesion and dilatation. A 6 cm colonic segment with the anastomosis at the center was excised bursting pressure was determined. RESULT: There was no fistula in any animal in both groups, and there was no difference in relation to obstruction, presence of adhesion or bursting pressure when compared group A and B. CONCLUSION: The use of povidone-iodine was not able to improve anastomotic healing in rats.
Povidone-iodine; Wound healing; Anastomosis, surgical; Colon; Rats