Neutrophil-dependent decrease in early wound margin strength
T. Jonsson and H. Hogstrom
Department of Surgery, Lund University, Malmo, Sweden.
We evaluated the effect of neutropenia or administration of a serine
proteinase inhibitor on the early suture-holding capacity of intestinal
anastomoses in rats. One group of rats was treated with antineutrophil
serum, and another group received the soybean trypsin inhibitor. Controls
received inactivated serum or saline. Anastomotic suture-holding capacity
(breaking strength), myeloperoxidase activity, and collagen were measured 0
and 72 hours after surgery. Suture-holding capacity decreased by 70% in
controls and 35% in soybean trypsin inhibitor-treated rats, but remained on
level with immediate postoperative strength in neutropenic rats, where low
myeloperoxidase levels reflected effective wound margin neutropenia.
Collagen content and solubility were similar in all groups. These findings
indicate that reduction in early wound margin strength is neutrophil
dependent, and that neutrophil serine proteinases are important mediators
in that process.
