The Influence of Sildenafil Versus Resveratrol on the Healing of Colonic Anastomosis: An Experimental Study

Objective: The prevention of colonic anastomosis leakage is a subject of ongoing surgical investigation. The present experimental study was performed to investigate whether the administration of resveratrol (R) and sildenafil (S) to rats could improve the strength of intestinal anastomosis without obvious interference with other vital components of the repair process.Methods: Thirty-six rats were randomly divided into four groups as follows: control (C), S, R, and combined (S & R). All rats underwent left colon resection plus anastomosis. After surgery, the C group received 10 mg/kg of tap water, while the S and R groups received S (10 mg/kg) and R (10 mg/kg), respectively, via an orogastric tube for 7 days. The S & R group received both S and R in the same dosages. All rats were euthanized on postoperative day 7. Anastomotic bursting pressure (ABP) was measured, and tissue samples were taken for histopathological examinationResults: The ABP was significantly higher in the S & R group than in the C group (p=0.021). When evaluated histopathologically in terms of edema, the significant difference was due to the S & R group. Tissue edema was lower in the S & R group than in the C, S, and R groups (p=0.004). There were no significant differences between the groups when analyzed for polymorphonuclear lymphocyte increase, lymphocyte increase, macrophage increase, mucosa-epithelial status, and submucosal bridge. There were also no significant differences in hydroxyproline levels between the groups (p=0.222). Conclusion: The results suggest that the combination of R and S significantly increased the bursting pressure in rats with left-sided colonic anastomosis, with S potentially being the key driver in this outcome. The current results are encouraging; however, additional studies will be needed for confirmation.