Distinctive characteristics of granulation tissue in laparotomy wounds with underlying oncological processes

This study aimed to investigate the effects of malignant neoplasms on the morphological characteristics of laparotomy wound granulation tissue in the muscular-aponeurotic layer. The study involved a sample of 34 deceased individuals who had undergone abdominal organ surgery. Biopsy samples were taken from the muscular-aponeurotic layer of the anterior abdominal wall and subjected to histological examination, including staining with hematoxylin and eosin and methylene blue/Chromotrope 2B using N.Z. Slinchenko’s method. Descriptive methods and morphometry were used to evaluate pathomorphological changes. The results suggest that malignant neoplasms significantly impede and decelerate the maturation of laparotomy wound granulation tissue. Surgeries performed at the late stages of abdominal organ malignant neoplasms result in an uneven and slow maturation of the tissue, characterized by a higher prevalence of lymphoid cells, increased blood vessel volume, reduced optical density of stained collagen fibers, and pronounced chromotropophilia of collagen fibers. These distinct features should be considered to prevent postoperative eventration, a complication that is more likely to occur in this patient group. Clinicians should be aware of the possible consequences of malignant neoplasms on laparotomy wound granulation tissue, which may require additional measures to prevent postoperative complications in these patients.