Histological evaluation of colonic anastomotic healing, during perioperative Capecitabine administration. Experimental study in rats.

BACKGROUND Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is a highly promising treatment modality for colorectal cancer. One of the basic side effects of this method is the possible impact on anastomotic healing. Capecitabine is a tumor selective pro-drug of 5-fluorouracil, indicated for the therapy of colorectal cancer. The aim of this study is to estimate the effect of perioperative Capecitabine administration on the colonic anastomotic healing process, by evaluating histopathological findings. METHODS We studied the effect of Capecitabine on hand sutured colonic anastomosis in rats. Sixty Wistar rats were randomized in two groups. In the study group (n=30) Capecitabine was given p.o. in therapeutic dose of 359 mg/kg, (2/3 of the mean toxic dose), 1 week prior the anastomosis and throughout the study. In the control group (n=30) placebo medication was administrated. Both groups were further subdivided into 3 groups, each consisting of 10 animals. Rats of each group were sacrificed on the 3rd, 7th and 14th postoperative day, in both study and control groups. RESULTS No negative impact on the healing process of colonic anastomosis was found. Histological findings indicated a more effective healing during the early postoperative days, with lesser necrosis effects on the anastomotic line for the study group, in comparison with the control group. The median bursting pressure was found to be significantly higher in the subdivision of the study group sacrificed on the 3rd day, in comparison to respective control subdivision. CONCLUSION Perioperative administration of Capecitabine, as neoadjuvant chemotherapy, does not impair the healing of colonic anastomosis in rats.