Are clips useful in the surgical repair of colonic perforations

Purpose : The objective of this study was to assess the effecacy of clip application in the surgical repair of iatrogenic colonic perforations. Material and Methods : Twenty adult male Wistar - Albino rats were divided into two equal groups of ten. In both of the groups an iatrogenic perforation was made in the anti-mesenteric border of the left colon. The defect was closed with interrupted 6/0 polypropylene sutures in group 1 and extraluminal application of vascular clips (VCS - vascular clip system) in group 2. All animals were killed on postoperative Day 4. Wound healing was evaluated with both in situ bursting pressure and hydroxyproline levels. Results : There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in respect of bursting pressure levels (p = 0.063) whereas hydroxyproline levels were higher in group 2 (p = 0.0021). Conclusions : Surgical repair of iatrogenic colonic perforations by extraluminal clips gives comparable results according to wound healing parameters. This approach may be a rational alternative to suture or endoscopic repair methods.