Quantitative perfusion assessment of intestinal anastomoses in pigs treated with glucagon-like peptide 2

Purpose Despite exhaustive research and improvement of techniques, anastomotic leakage remains a frequent complication in gastrointestinal surgery. As leakage is associated with poor perfusion, reliable objective methods to assess anastomotic perfusion are highly demanded. In addition, such methods enable evaluation of interventions that may improve anastomotic perfusion. Glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) is an enteroendocrine hormone that regulates mid-gut perfusion. In the present study, we aimed to explore if quantitative perfusion assessment with indocyanine green (q-ICG) could detect an increase in porcine anastomotic perfusion after treatment with GLP-2. Methods Nineteen pigs had two small bowel resections followed by anastomosis. Blinded to all investigators, animals were randomized to receive GLP-2 or placebo. Anastomotic perfusion was assessed at baseline, 30 min after injection of GLP-2/placebo, and after 5 days of treatment. Anastomotic strength and healing were evaluated by bursting pressure and histology. Results Q-ICG detected a significantly higher increase in anastomotic perfusion (p < 0.05) in animals treated with GLP-2, compared with placebo. No significant differences in anastomotic strength or healing were found. Conclusions Q-ICG is a promising tool for perfusion assessment in gastrointestinal surgery and opens new opportunities in research of factors that may influence anastomotic healing, but further research is warranted to evaluate the effects of GLP-2 on anastomotic healing.