Granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor improves impaired anastomotic wound healing in rats treated with intraperitoneal mitomycin-C

Purpose. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IPCT) delivers higher local concentrations of cytotoxic drugs than intravenous (IV) chemotherapy, but it can adversely affect the healing of intestinal anastomoses if given in the early postoperative period. Intestinal anastomotic leakage is a serious surgical complication. Experimental and clinical studies have shown that the local administration of granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) improves would healing. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of locally applied GM-CSF on anastomotic wound healing in rats treated with intraperitoneal mitomycin-C immediately after surgery. Methods. We performed colon anastomoses in albino rats, which were then divided into three treatment groups. Group A was a control group that received no treatment, Group B was given intraperitoneal mitomycin-C postoperatively, and Group C was given intraperitoneal mitomycin-C with a local injection of GM-CSF postoperatively. We measured bursting pressures and hydroxyproline content, and histologically examined the resected anastomoses on postoperative day (POD) 3. Results. Anastomotic healing was impaired after intraperitoneal mitomycin-C, but this was overcome by the injection of GM-CSF into the perianastomotic area. Conclusion. Local GM-CSF administration counteracts the detrimental effects of intraperitoneal mitomycin-C treatment on intestinal anastomoses in rats.