[Effect of methylprednisolone on jejunal anastomotic tension]

Steroid therapy has been related to an healing impairment. The aim of the present paper was to assess the role of steroids on jejunal anastomoses. Forty rats submitted to jejunal anastomoses were divided into four groups (n = 10). Two groups received intraperitoneal methyl-prednisolone (10 mg/kg) and the others (control group) received 0.9% saline fluid. The animals submitted to steroids decreased their weight and reduced the anastomotic tensile strength. Three fistulas occurred in the group with steroids. Histological studies showed more delicate fibrosis in the group submitted to methyl-prednisolone. Our results indicate that rats treated with steroids presented a delayed healing of jejunal anastomoses, decreased anastomotic tensile strength and postoperative complications not observed in the control animals.