['Mast cell degranulation is an important step in early wound healing in the skin however the role of the mast cell in anastomotic healing is less clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of mast cell degranulation in anastomotic healing and to assess whether a promoter of mast cell degranulation could increase anastomotic healing in poorly perfused bowel.', 'Fifty Wistar rats were divided into five groups: control, normally perfused bowel with mast cell stabilisation, normally perfused bowel with mast cell degranulation, hypoperfused bowel, and hypoperfused bowel with mast cell degranulation. A colo-colonic anastomosis was formed in each animal. Four d later, following sacrifice, the strength of the anastomosis was assessed in each animal.', 'Mast cell stabilisation reduced anastomotic healing in normally perfused bowel (P < 0.001). Hypoperfused bowel resulted in reduced anastomotic strength (P < 0.001) however the addition of a mast cell degranulating agent increased healing in hypoperfused bowel to levels comparable with control.'] Is mast cell degranulation essential for anastomotic healing in well perfused and poorly perfused rat colon?