Assessment of MMP-2/-9 expression by fluorescence endoscopy for evaluation of anastomotic healing in a murine model of anastomotic leakage
Fig 2
The chosen model serves as a valid tool for analysis of anastomotic leakage.
(A) Representative images of endoscopic evaluation of anastomotic healing, anastomosis marked by dotted line, arrows indicate dehiscence. (B) Representative images of histological sections of the anastomoses on the respective postoperative days. Scale bar 150 μm (C) Endoscopic scoring of visual signs of leakage revealed significantly higher scores on POD5 compared to POD1 (p = 0.0428). (D) Histological inflammation scores were significantly higher with pronounced anastomotic inflammation on the later postoperative days (p = 0.0006). (E) An anastomotic leakage score was calculated taking all parameters into account. As shown in the graph, leakage rates significantly increased on the later postoperative days (p = 0.0047).