The effect of faecal loading on colonic anastomotic healing

The effect of faecal loading of the colon on the healing of rat colonic anastomoses has been investigated in a prospective randomized and controlled study. Anastomotic dehiscence occurred significantly more often when the bowel was loaded with faeces at the time of operation than when it was empty. Suture line cultures bore no relationship to the outcome of the anastomosis. This result emphasizes the importance of an empty colon as a contributory factor in successful colonic healing in the rat.