Impact of Gentamicin-Impregnated Collagen on the Intra-Abdominal Adhesions and Integrity of Colonic Anastomosis: An Experimental Study

BACKGROUND: We investigated the impact of collagen usage in colo-colonic anastomoses on intra-abdominal adhesion and anastomosis safety. MATERIAL/METHODS: A total of 30 adult albino Wistar rats (aged 6–8 months) weighing 180–230 g in the laboratory setting were used in this study. Rats were divided into the 3 groups, consisting of 10 rats in each group: treated with gentamicin-impregnated collagen, treated with only collagen, and the control group. After 7 days, rats were sacrificed to evaluate adhesion scores and anastomosis bursting pressures. The Evans scoring system was used to rate adhesion levels. Bursting pressures were measured using a handheld tension device, and the scores obtained at the moment of tissue dissection were determined as the bursting pressure. RESULTS: The mean adhesion scores were 2.86±0.37 in the control group, 1.80±0.91 in the collagen group, and 1.78±0.83 in the gentamicin-impregnated collagen group, with the control group showing significantly higher scores than the other groups (p=0.010 and p=0.011, respectively). The mean bursting pressure levels were 174.29±44.68 mmHg in the control group, 223±38.6 mmHg in collagen group, and 223.33±42 mmHg in the gentamicin-impregnated collagen group, showing that the mean bursting pressure levels were significantly lower in the control group than the other groups (p=0.027 and p=0.029, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that colo-colonic anastomosis coverage using materials incorporating collagen alone or gentamicin-impregnated collagen increases the safety of anastomosis and reduces intra-abdominal adhesions.