Correlation of Biochemical Markers with Histopathological Findings in Experimental Strangulated Hernia

Objectives: This study was planned to evaluate wheth-er possible changes in the hematological parameters and the biochemical markers can be used to detect obstruction-induced (strangulated) intestinal ischemia. Materials and Methods: Forty rats divided into fivegroups underwent the following procedures: Group 1 ratswere treated with only laparotomy (sham-operated con-trols). To the strangulated hernia groups surgical induc-tion of strangulated intestinal obstruction was performed.Tissue and blood samples were taken at 30 minutes(group 2), 2nd hour (group 3), 4th hour (group 4) and 6thhour (group 5) respectively, and then LDH, CPK, ALP,AST, ALT, D-dimer levels and blood cells counts were measured and histopathological examination was done. Results: Focal mucosal necrosis accompanied was con-firmed by histological findings in the strangulated intestinalischemia group after second hour. Serum D-dimer, ALT,ALP, CPK levels and neutrophil count became elevated atsecond hour, which was statistically significant. Conclusion: In patients with hernia, after reduction of theintestinal hernia, raised levels of serum D-dimer, ALT, ALP, CPK levels and neutrophil count may indicate the pres-ence of a bowel ischemia. However, more comprehen-sive clinical studies are required to evaluate the potentialsurvival benefit by using the laboratory tests as a markerand/or a useful diagnostic tool of the need for laparotomy.