Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2026
Creation of Colonic Anastomosis in Mice
Published on: January 17, 2019
Pitfalls and technical aspects during the research of intestinal anastomotic healing in rats
G Marjanovic1, P Holzner, B Kulemann
1Department of General and Digestive Surgery, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. goran.marjanovic @ uniklinik-freiburg.de
Background:
Fundamental experimental research into intestinal anastomotic healing in rodent models will gain increasing interest in the future.
Methods:
The aim of this study was to describe our 5-year experience with a standardized experimental setup of small and large bowel anastomoses in a rodent model and present a basic set of assessment tools investigating anastomotic healing. Anastomotic technique, perioperative complications such as anastomotic insufficiency (AI) and obstructive ileus were in the focus.
Results:
During different studies with varying study patterns, 167 rat small bowel anastomoses and 120 colonic anastomoses were performed. Overall mortality was 3.6% in small bowel and 2.5% in colonic anastomoses, AI occurred in 2.9 and 4%, respectively. A postoperative obstructive ileus was seen in 3/167 small bowel anastomoses and none in the colonic group.
Conclusion:
When performing experimental intestinal anastomoses in a standardized operative setting and critically considering special perioperative issues, the incidence of relevant complications can be maintained at an adequately low level.
