ORIGINAL ARTICLE   

Chirurgia 2022 April;35(2):82-9

DOI: 10.23736/S0394-9508.21.05268-2

Copyright © 2021 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Effects of ketogenic diet on colon anastomosis and wound healing in rats

Ezgi ALTINSOY ¹, Serdar ÇULCU ² ✉

¹ Manisa State Hospital, Manisa, Turkey; ² Department of Surgical Oncology, Ankara Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Oncology Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Science, Ankara, Turkey

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leaks cause major problems in colorectal surgeries increase morbidity and mortality. The idea that ketogenic diet reduces inflammation and free oxygen radicals in the body, as well as its effects on intestinal microbiota, suggests that this diet may have a positive effect on colon anastomosis and wound healing.
METHODS: Thirty adult male albino Wistar rats were used in the study. Animals in group 1 were fed standard rodent food. Group 2 was fed with standard rodent food before the operation and a ketogenic diet after the operation. In the third group, a ketogenic diet was started 7 days before the operation and continued after the operation. Anastomotic bursting pressures and hydroxyproline levels were measured, and the specimens were evaluated histopathologically.
RESULTS: No statistically significant difference regarding anastomotic bursting pressures and hydroxyproline levels was found between the groups. When the neovascularization in the anterior abdominal wall was evaluated, the rate of high-level neovascularization was 40% in group 1, and 0% in group 2 and group 3. Low-level neovascularization rate was 20%, 50% and 80%, respectively. This difference between the groups was found to be statistically significant.
CONCLUSIONS: We thought that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of ketogenic diet may have a beneficial effect on wound healing and intestinal anastomotic strength. However, we found no significant difference on behalf of the diet between the groups in this study. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the positive effects of ketogenic diet will enable better planning of future studies.

KEY WORDS: Anastomosis, surgical; Diet, ketogenic; Wound healing