Healing of ileocolic anastomoses. Breaking strength and collagen content in the intestinal wall after ileocolic resection and anastomosis in the rat.

Breaking strength, collagen concentration and collagen content of the intestinal wall were studied in rats after ileocolic anastomosis. The values were compared with findings in control rats without operation and in previous studies of ileal and colonic anastomosis. Collagen content and concentration in the ileal wall were lower on the third day of healing than previously found during ileal healing. Breaking strength decreased in the early phase to the same extent as in previous experiments, but the restoration of strength from the third day on was more rapid than previously noted in ileal anastomoses. The changes observed in the ileum following ileocolic anastomosis were more like the pattern in colon. It is suggested that intestinal content (bacteria and intraluminal bulk) influences the collagen metabolism in the intestinal wall.