The healing role of erythropoietin in the obstructive vs nonobstructive left colonic anastomosis

We aimed to evaluate possible effects of erythropoietin on the healing of anastomosis in both obstructive and non-obstructive states. It was an experimental study on guinea pigs. Although erythropoietin had positive effects on pressure in the group IV when compared to the group II, it had no effect in the group Ill. Despite an increased tissue hydroxyproline levels in the group IV, erythropoietin failed to show any effects in the group III. Erythropoietin had positive effects on neovascularization, fibroblast proliferation and storage of collagen in the group IV. We failed to find any direct and evident effects of erythropoietin on the healing of left colonic anastomosis. On the other hand, erythropoietin might prevent negative effects of obstruction on healing (Tab. 2, Fig. 4, Ref. 33). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.