Topical noxythiolin in colonic healing.

Rats were subjected to division and anastomosis of the colon just proximal to the rectum to study the healing of colonic anastomoses. The effect of noxythiolin irrigation of the divided colon before and after anastomosis was investigated and compared with controls. Healing was assessed using five variables--macroscopic and microscopic inspection, bursting pressure and tensile strength estimations and angiography for new vessel formation. The study shows that noxythiolin irrigation of the colon in the rat significantly increases the chance of a sound anastomosis without interfering with healing. Furthermore, it inhibits the formation of adhesions.