Optimal timing for surgery after adriamycin treatment in rats

Purpose. To determine the optimal timing of surgery after adriamycin treatment, we investigated the time-related effect of adriamycin on wound healing over a long period. Methods. We divided 119 female Sprague-Dawley rats into seven treatment groups. Group 1 was subjected to laparatomy only. All the other groups were given 8 mg/ kg adriamycin intravenously followed by laparotomy on the same day ( group 2), 7 days later ( group 3), 14 days later ( group 4), 21 days later ( group 5), 28 days later ( group 6), or 35 days later ( group 7). On postoperative day 7, the sutures were removed, abdominal bursting pressure was measured, and tissue samples were taken for histopathological evaluation and analysis of hydroxyproline content. Results. Bursting pressures were significantly lower in groups 3, 4, 5, and 6 than in group 1. The hydroxyproline content and histopathological evaluation supported these findings. Conclusions. Our results showed that the optimal timing for surgery after adriamycin treatment is before the 7th day or after the 35th day. If surgery is performed between these days, there is a high risk of impaired wound healing.