[Does obstructive jaundice adversely affect wound healing? Experimental study in rats (author's transl)]

The effect of obstructive jaundice on wound healing has been investigated in an experimental study of gastric and abdominal wounds in rats following ligation and division of the common bile duct. Our study demonstrates that the obstructive jaundice does not modify the healing of gastric defect whatever the post-operative time. On the opposite, the healing of a parietal defect in these animals showed histological evidence of delayed healing compared with controls. The bursting strength of the abdominal incision was also lowered, but not that of the stomachs. These findings suggest the biochemical changes in the wounds of jaundiced animals interfered with wound repair. The possible causes of this delay in healing and its clinical implications require further investigations by cytokinetic and radioisotope studies.