Healing of a left colon anastomosis after early colostomy closure. An experimental study in the rat.

The healing of a standardized left colon anastomosis after early (7 days) closure of a concomitant proximal diverting colostomy was studied experimentally. Early closure of the diverting colostomy could be conducted safely by an intraperitoneal technique and the healing of the primary anastomosis was uncomplicated. Colostomy closure in the proliferative phase of wound healing resulted in development of anastomotic strength similar to colonic healing without faecal diversion. The anastomotic strength had doubled after three weeks. As compared to colostomy closure in the remodelling phase of anastomotic healing development of anastomotic strength was more rapid and without serious local complications.