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©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Sep 21, 2014; 20(35): 12637-12648
Published online Sep 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i35.12637
Published online Sep 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i35.12637
Pharmacological interventions for improved colonic anastomotic healing: A meta-analysis
Mari Nanna Øines, Peter-Martin Krarup, Lars Nannestad Jorgensen, Magnus Sven Ågren, Digestive Disease Center, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, DK-2400 Copenhagen NV, Denmark
Magnus Sven Ågren, Copenhagen Wound Healing Center, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, DK-2400 Copenhagen NV, Denmark
Magnus Sven Ågren, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
Author contributions: Øines MN performed the literature search, collected and analyzed the data and drafted the article; Krarup PM designed the study and performed the literature search and the statistical analyses; Jorgensen LN designed the study and analyzed the data; Ågren MS designed the study, analyzed the data and edited the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Magnus Sven Ågren, Professor, Digestive Disease Center, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, DK-2400 Copenhagen NV, Denmark. magnus.agren@mail.dk
Telephone: +45-35316493 Fax: +45-35313911
Received: January 28, 2014
Revised: April 10, 2014
Accepted: May 12, 2014
Published online: September 21, 2014
Revised: April 10, 2014
Accepted: May 12, 2014
Published online: September 21, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: Anastomotic leakage after colorectal surgery is an ongoing challenge and results in high morbidity and mortality. Currently, there is no pharmaceutical compound specifically indicated for the improvement of anastomotic healing. This situation is remarkable considering the many interventions that have been assessed under experimental conditions. This study reviewed 56 therapeutic agents investigated in 75 separate studies. Iloprost, tacrolimus, erythropoietin, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1, hyperbaric oxygen and matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor therapies reproducibly improved anastomosis stability in experimental models. These therapies, alone or in combination, should be explored further.