The Effect of Vagotomy on Small Intestınal Anastomosıs Healıng In Rats

INTRODUCTION: Gastrointestinal anastomotic healing depends on collagen dynamics, microcirculation, and immune responses. The vagus nerve modulates these via the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. This study evaluated the effects of truncal vagotomy on jejunal anastomotic healing in rats.
METHODS: Forty male Wistar Albino rats were divided into five groups: control, day 4 anastomosis, day 4 vagotomy + anastomosis, day 7 anastomosis, and day 7 vagotomy + anastomosis. Standard end-to-end jejunal anastomoses were performed; vagotomy groups underwent transection of anterior and posterior vagal trunks. Healing was assessed by bursting pressure (cm H₂O) and tissue hydroxyproline (µg/mg).
RESULTS: No mortality or macroscopic leakage occurred. Mean bursting pressures were 87.0 ± 4.75, 95.37 ± 7.72, 98.25 ± 9.37, 109.25 ± 12.66, and 123.37 ± 4.27 cm H₂O in Groups I–V, with a significant increase in the 7-day vagotomy group (p < 0.001). Hydroxyproline levels were 0.512 ± 0.223, 0.539 ± 0.025, 0.549 ± 0.023, 0.539 ± 0.025, and 0.584 ± 0.023 µg/mg; Group V was significantly higher than Groups IV and III (p < 0.001 and p = 0.038). At day 4, bursting pressure increased without a parallel rise in hydroxyproline, whereas both parameters increased significantly at day 7.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Truncal vagotomy enhanced jejunal anastomotic healing at day 7 by increasing collagen deposition and mechanical strength. Disruption of vagal tone appears to modulate inflammatory and fibroblastic responses, influencing the temporal pattern of healing. Further mechanistic and clinical studies are warranted.

Keywords: Vagotomy, Jejunum, Anastomosis, Bursting pressure, Hydroxyproline, Wound healing