Cardiac output distribution after left colon anastomosis in the rat

Resection and anastomosis of the left colon result in an aysmmetric breakdown of preexisting collagen in the colonic wall during the first days of healing. Suture technique influences this reaction. To study the regional blood flow in the colon after resection and anastomosis a tracer microsphere technique was used for determination of the cardiac output distribution in four groups of rats: unoperated and sham-operated controls and rats with left colon anastomosis sutured either by continuous or interrupted sutures. There were no differences in the organ distribution of caridac output between unoperated and sham-operated controls. Left colon resection and anastomosis led to an increased regional blood flow in the colon, which was most marked proximal to the anastomosis and furthermore more pronounced in animals with anastomosis made of continuous suture than in those made of interrupted sutures. Further, resection and anastomosis resulted in an increased cardiac output distribution to the visceral organs. The visceral increase was most pronounced in animals with continuous suture. This increase was predominantly observed in the kidneys and in the colon. The latter is interpreted as being due to an increased metabolic demand induced by resection and anastomosis.