Influence of nicotine on healing of vesical sutures in rabbits.

Purpose: To study the effects of nicotine on inflammatory cells, deposition of collagen and its interference on the strength of tissue in vesical sutures in rabbits.

Methods: Twenty New Zealand rabbits were used, randomized into two groups: group N, consisting of 10 animals, to which nicotine was administered in the dose of 2mg/kg of weight as a subcutaneous injection, diluted in 1 ml of saline solution at 0.9% in a daily administration during the 28 days prior to the surgery; and group C, consisting of 10 animals, to which saline solution at 0.9% was administered in the same conditions and time intervals of the nicotine group. All the animals underwent cystotomy and suture of the bladder wall 28 days after the administration of nicotine or saline solution. The measurements were performed on the fourth and seventh day in each group after cystectomy and euthanasia of the animals. A fragment of bladder was removed and sent for a tensile strength test to evaluate the tissue strength and another fragment underwent a histological analysis of inflammatory process and deposition of collagen.

Results: There was a decrease of neutrophils on the fourth postoperative day (p=0.079) and an increase of plasmocytes on the seventh postoperative day (p=0.053) in the animals that were given nicotine, without statistical difference in relation to the control group. In the analysis of the proliferation of fibroblasts, deposition of collagen and tensile strength test, there was no statistical difference in relation to the control group.

Conclusion: The administration of nicotine in rabbits did not influence the healing process of vesical suture in relation to the inflammatory cells, deposit of collagen and tissue strength of the suture.