Colonic Anastomotic Leak Model in Swine

Anastomotic leaks (ALs) are serious postoperative complications. Current experimental studies designed to investigate leaks are based on acute intraoperative dehiscence of the anastomosis. Clinically, however, AL usually happens later in the postoperative course. Presented here is a clinically relevant colonic AL model in swine.

Seventeen Yorkshire pigs were divided into 2 groups: the control group (n = 6) and the experimental group (n = 11). An enterotomy was performed on the descending colon and an end-to-end handsewn anastomosis was created in the groups. The proximal and distal ends of the suture were exteriorized and tied to a plastic tube. Subsequently, the suture was cut and pulled to induce breakdown of the anastomosis in the experimental group 3-4 h postoperatively. Study endpoints included behavioral changes, clinical assessment, laboratory indicators, and macroscopic indicators of leakage.

Leaks were successfully created in 8/11 of the experimental group animals and confirmed through exploratory relaparotomy. Seven of the experimental pigs showed complete anastomotic breakdown and one showed partial rupture. Fecal peritonitis and enteric spillage were observed macroscopically within the abdomen of the experimental pigs, confirming the presence of a leak. The remaining (3/11) experimental pigs did not experience those findings due to either a tamponade/containment by the abdominal wall or surrounding organs. Statistical significance (p < 0.05) was achieved between the experimental and control cohorts for laboratory and clinical indicators including fever, leukocytosis, and decreased blood potassium.

This animal model generated postoperative induced leak in approximately three-quarters (8/11) of experimental pigs, allowing control over the time of leak onset to simulate clinical settings.