The effect of epidural and general anesthesia on the healing of colonic anastomoses

Colonic anastomoses were performed on two groups of 13 dogs each. Epidural anesthesia and general anesthesia were performed in one group and general anesthesia only in the other. Intraoperatively, the epidural-general anesthesia dogs tended to bleed less, making the anastomosis less difficult. Histologic comparisons showed healing to be more advanced in the epidural-general anesthesia dogs compared to the general anesthesia dogs 24 hours and 7 days postoperatively. Differences were not noticed 14 and 28 days postoperatively. Bursting pressures were determined 24 hours after surgery. Differences between the groups were not noticed. Leakage occurred at 72% of the pressure determined to cause leakage in normal colons.