Effect of Perioperative Ketorolac Tromethamine and Acetaminophen Analgesia on the Outcome of Intestinal Anastomosis in a Rat Model

Background: Despite advances in surgical techniques and perioperative care, intestinal anastomotic dehiscence remains a significant challenge in gastrointestinal surgery. This study aimed to clarify the morpho-functional effects of the postoperative administration of ketorolac tromethamine and acetaminophen during the healing of intestinal anastomoses in a rat model. Methods and Results: Wistar–Hannover rats weighing between 200 g and 400 g were divided into 6 groups of 10 animals. All animals underwent resection of the cecum with ileo-colic anastomosis. The animals in Groups 1 and 2 received ketorolac tromethamine intraperitoneally (5 mg/kg/d), those in Groups 3 and 4 received acetaminophen intraperitoneally (5o mg/kg/d), and those in Groups 5 and 6 received tramadol subcutaneously (25 mg/kg in 2mL saline solution). All groups were sacrificed by cardiac puncture under high-dose ketamine anesthesia on Day 7 after surgery, and 3–4cm of the large intestine was resected at the anastomosis site, cleaned, placed in formalin, and sent for immunohistochemical examination. An immunohistochemical analysis was performed to evaluate inflammation, angiogenesis, and fibroblast proliferation. For this purpose, CD31, CD45, alpha smooth muscle actin [α-SMA]) and vimentin were detected. The histological and microscopic results showed no significant differences among the groups. In addition, no differences were observed in terms of mucosal epithelization. Conclusion: The study results showed that neither ketorolac tromethamine nor acetaminophen affected the healing of colocolic anastomoses in a rat model.