Effect of growth hormone treatment on the healing of left colonic anastomoses in protein‐malnourished rats

Background Malnutrition is known to affect wound healing but it is not known with certainty whether or not postoperative hyperalimentation can reverse this defect. The present study was designed to examine the effects of recombinant human growth hormone (hGH) on left colonic anastomoses in malnourished rats. Methods Experimental animals were allocated randomly into four groups. In groups 1 and 2 animals were fed with normal diet for 10 days before surgery. In groups 3 and 4 animals were fed with a low‐protein diet. Left colonic anastomoses were performed in all animals. Following surgery, rats in groups 1 and 3 received hGH whereas rats in groups 2 and 4 were injected with saline as control. Bursting pressure and hydroxyproline levels on day 4 after operation were used to determine anastomotic healing. Results Bursting pressure was lower in the malnourished rats than those fed with normal diet ( P <0·05). Bursting pressure was higher in normally fed rats which were given hGH. No significant differences could be noted between malnourished control rats and those receiving hGH. Conclusion These results suggest that hGH strengthened the left colonic anastomoses in rats fed a normal diet, but could not reverse the negative effects of malnutrition on colonic anastomoses. © 1998 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd