Hand-sewn versus stapled intestinal anastomoses in a chronically steroid-treated porcine model

Chronic steroid treatment is known to delay wound healing; however, there are no trials examining stapled intestinal anastomoses in subjects chronically treated with steroids. The current study compares mechanically stapled to manually sutured intestinal anastomoses in a steroid-treated porcine model. Twenty adult male pigs were treated with daily prednisolone (0.5 mg/kg IM) for 14 days. The pigs were divided between hand-sewn and stapled groups. All pigs underwent a laparotomy with construction of a jejunojejunostomy, an ileocecostomy, and a colocolostomy. Pigs were sacrificed on postoperative day 4. Bursting pressure, collagen content, and inflammatory scores were used to evaluate each anastomosis. Bursting pressure was greater for the hand-sewn group at the jejunojejunostomies only (1.52 vs 0.79 psi; P < 0.001). The collagen content and microscopic inflammatory scores were not significantly different at any location. The mean gross inflammatory score was greater for the hand-sewn colocolostomies only (5.20 vs 4.00; P < 0.01). Stapled ileocecostomies and colocolostomies appear to heal as well as hand-sewn anastomoses. This may not be true of the jejunojejunostomies as evidenced by the decreased bursting pressures. These data may provide evidence in support of the use of stapled anastomoses in steroid-treated patients.     

Evaluation of bioabsorbable seamguard for staple line reinforcement in stapled rectal anastomoses

Introduction. The concept of staple line reinforcement is a growing area of interest. This study evaluated the feasibility and effect of using bioabsorbable Seamguard (BSG) to bolster end-to-end stapled rectal anastomoses in a porcine model. Methods. Eleven female 45-kg Yucatan domestic pigs were used. Each animal served as its own control by creating a BSG and nonreinforced anastomosis using a 29-mm end-to-end anastomotic stapling device. Reinforced anastomoses were randomized to proximal and distal positions along the rectum. Each staple line reinforcement agent consisted of adding BSG to the stapling device according to the manufacturer's instructions. Barium enemas were then performed and the 2 anastomotic sites harvested. Each anastomosis underwent burst testing. The internal diameter of each anastomosis was measured and underwent pathologic review. Results. Bolstered anastomoses offered no strength advantage as burst pressures were no different as compared with unbolstered anastomoses. There was also no difference in anastomotic internal or external diameters. Only 1 stapled anastomosis burst during testing and none in the bolstered group. On histological analysis, there was a significant increase in inflammatory infiltrate in the bolstered group as compared with the stapled group (P = .041), with a higher incidence of lymphocytes (P = .047) and giant cells (P = .037). There was no difference in mucosal loss at the anastomotic site, neovascularization, fibroblast presence, extent of fibrosis, muscle layer disruption, percentage of anastomosis replaced by collagen, and elastin deposition. Conclusions. The routine use of BSG bolsters in stapled rectal anastomoses is safe and results in equivalent anastomotic strength as traditional stapled anastomoses.     

Varieties of stapled anastomoses in rectal resection

This article presents numerous illustrations that show a variety of techniques for the restoration of intestinal continuity after low anterior resection. The conclusion is that, at extremely low levels, the EEA stapler anastomosis can be securely performed at levels at which manual anastomosis would not be possible.     

器械吻合在直肠癌超低位前切除术中的应用

目的 探讨直肠癌超低位前切除术中器械吻合的方法 及其疗效.方法 回顾性分析2000年10月至2006年10月我院实施直肠癌超低位前切除的器械吻合术192例患者的临床资料.结果 180例成功完成直肠癌超低位前切除的器械吻合术;未完成吻合的12例中,操作过程中撕裂远侧闭合端3例、未完成闭合2例、吻合器切下组织未成圆圈7例.术后吻合口瘘6例(3.2%);吻合口狭窄32例(17.7%).术后住院期间,每日排便(4.3±5.2)次,2个月后平均每日排便(2.5±3.1)次,3个月后趋于正常.结论 直肠癌超低位前切除的器械吻合术,在保证肿瘤根治及不增加并发症的前提下,能顺利保存肛门括约肌的功能.     

Comparison of running and interrupted vesicourethral anastomoses in a porcine model

PURPOSE: To compare running and interrupted suturing techniques for porcine vesicourethral anastomosis with regard to procedure time, histopathologic effects, and leakage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve domestic pigs were randomized to a running (N = 6) or an interrupted (N = 6) vesicourethral anastomosis with polyglycolic acid sutures. In each case, the bladder was drained for 7 days. A cystogram was performed immediately after completion of each anastomosis and on postoperative days 7 and 30. Animals were sacrificed on postoperative day 30, and the area of the anastomosis was excised en bloc for histopathologic evaluation. RESULTS: All procedures were completed laparoscopically. The mean operative time for continuous and interrupted suturing were 27.5 and 36.8 minutes, respectively (P = 0.3324). A significant learning curve was noted for both anastomoses, with operative times decreasing with experience in both groups. There was no difference in anastomotic leakage. Histopathology examination revealed more muscle-layer fibrosis in the interrupted- suture group than in the continuous-suture group, with a mean score of 2.17 and 1.67, respectively (P = 0.0325). CONCLUSIONS: Both continuous and interrupted vesicourethral anastomoses are feasible. In this in-vivo porcine comparison, there was no difference with respect to procedure time or anastomotic leakage. However, histopathologic grading demonstrated greater muscle fibrosis in the interrupted-suture group.     

Totally laparoscopic creation of a novel stapled orthotopic neobladder in the porcine model

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic urinary diversion remains difficult and time consuming even when performed by experienced laparoscopists. Here we describe a novel procedure that quickly creates an ileal orthotopic neobladder with an afferent tubular segment using a laparoscopic stapling device. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Laparoscopic cystectomy and stapled ileal neobladder were performed in five domestic juvenile pigs. Following cystectomy, 30 to 40 cm of terminal ileum was harvested, and ileal continuity restored. The harvested ileum was made into a J configuration, and three to seven laparoscopic staple firings were used to create a spherical pouch with an afferent limb modeled after the Studer-type neobladder. An aperture was created in the dependent portion of the neobladder, and urethral anastomosis was performed using six interrupted absorbable sutures. Ureterointestinal anastomosis was performed using a Wallace technique. Postoperative cystography and intravenous pyelography were performed. A 1-month survival study was completed in one pig. RESULTS: All five procedures were completed successfully without conversion to open surgery. The majority of the steps of the procedures were performed by second- and third-year urology residents (PGY 3-4). Neobladder stapling, ureterointestinal anastomosis, and the first three urethral sutures were performed by an endourology fellow. Average time for neobladder creation and entire procedure was 78 and 355 minutes, respectively. Postoperative cystography revealed spherical orthotopic neobladder with minimal or no leakage in all animals. Average neobladder capacity was 100 mL, and no obstruction was visualized on intravenous pyelography immediately after the procedures. One pig successfully survived the 1-month study period. There was excellent neobladder storage, no clinically apparent renal obstruction, and no postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Total laparoscopic urinary diversion and specifically orthotopic neobladder remains one of the frontiers of minimally invasive urologic surgery. Our technique for stapled ileal neobladder provides substantial advantages in terms of the operative time required for orthotopic neobladder reconstruction. This may offer an avenue to foster the development of more feasible techniques for laparoscopic urinary tract reconstructive surgery.     

Silver-impregnated porcine xenografts for treatment of meshed autografts

Meshing of skin grafts has gained wide acceptance as a means of conserving donor sites in cases of extensive skin loss. In smaller injuries, meshed grafts have the advantage of providing for more efficient wound drainage than unmeshed grafts. Covering widely meshed skin grafts with meshed allografts has been found to result in reductions in infection-related rejection of the allografts. Porcine xenografts have been widely used as temporary wound coverings as they protect the wounds and provide a hospitable environment for reepithelialization. We have used silver-impregnated porcine xenografts to cover meshed skin grafts with excellent results. The porcine xenograft provides a protective wound covering that promotes epithelialization in the interstices of the meshed graft, and the silver ion in the collagen of the xenograft provides an improved means of controlling infection. Three cases are described.     

Intestinal microbiota and anastomotic leakage of stapled colorectal anastomoses: a pilot study

Background

Anastomotic leakage (AL) after colorectal surgery is a severe complication, resulting in morbidity, reinterventions, prolonged hospital stay and, in some cases, death. Some technical and patient-related aetiological factors of AL are well established. In many cases, however, none of these factors seem to explain the occurrence of AL. Recent studies suggest that the intestinal microbiome plays a role in wound healing, diabetes and Crohn’s disease. The aim of this study was to compare the intestinal microbiota of patients who developed AL with matched patients with healed colorectal anastomoses.

Methods

We investigated the microbiome in the doughnuts collected from 16 patients participating in the C-seal trial. We selected eight patients who developed AL requiring reintervention and eight matched controls without AL. We analysed the bacterial 16S rDNA of both groups with MiSeq sequencing.

Results

The abundance of Lachnospiraceae is statistically higher (P = 0.001) in patient group who did develop AL, while microbial diversity levels were higher in the group who did not develop AL (P = 0.037). Body mass index (BMI) was also positively associated with the abundance of the Lachnospiraceae family (P = 0.022).

Conclusion

A correlation between the bacterial family Lachnospiraceae, low microbial diversity and anastomotic leakage, possibly in association with the BMI, was found. The relative abundance of the Lachnospiraceae family is possibly explained by the higher abundance of mucin-degrading Ruminococci within that family in AL cases (P = 0.011) as is similarly the case in IBD.

     

A comparison of gastrojejunal anastomoses with or without buttressing in a porcine model

Introduction

The addition of staple-line reinforcements on circular anastomoses has not been well studied. We histologically and mechanically analyzed circular- stapled anastomoses with and without bioabsorbable staple-line reinforcement (SeamGuard^®, W. L. Gore &; Associates, Flagstaff, AZ) in a porcine model.

Methods

Gastrojejunal anastomoses were constructed using a #25 EEA Proximate ILS^® (Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Cincinnati, OH) mechanical stapling device with and without Bioabsorbable SeamGuard^® (BSG). Gastrojejunal anastomoses were resected acutely and at 1 week, and burst-pressure testing and histological analysis were performed. Standardized grading systems for inflammation, collagen deposition, vascularity, and serosal inflammation were used to compare the two anastomosis types.

Results

Acute burst pressures were significantly higher with BSG than with staples alone (1.37 versus 0.39 psi, p = 0.0075). Burst pressures at 1 week were significantly lower with BSG than with staples alone (2.24 versus 3.86 psi, p = 0.0353); however, both readings were above normal physiologic intestinal pressures. There was no statistical difference in inflammation (13.4 versus 15.6, p = 0.073), width of mucosa (3.2 mm versus 3.2 mm, p = 0.974), adhesion formation (0 versus 0.5, p = 0.575), number of blood vessels (0.5 versus 1.0, p = 0.056), or serosal inflammation (2.0 versus 1.0, p = 0.27) between the stapled anastomoses and those buttressed with BSG. Stapled-only anastomoses had statistically more collagen (2.0 versus 1.0, p = 0.005) than the anastomoses supported with BSG.

Conclusions

The addition of BSG as a staple-line reinforcement acutely improves the burst strength of a circular anastomosis but not at 1 week. At 1 week, a decrease in collagen content with the BSG-buttressed stapled anastomosis was the only difference in the histologic parameters studied with no difference in vascularity, adhesions, or inflammation. The long-term effect of BSG on anastomotic strength or scarring is yet to be determined. The clinical implications may include decreased stricture formation and also decreased strength at anastomoses.     

Protection of stapled colorectal anastomoses with a biodegradable device: the C-Seal feasibility study

Background

A colorectal anastomotic leak can be life-threatening. We have assessed the feasibility of a new intraluminal biodegradable bypass device that we designed to avoid anastomotic leakage and the necessity of a temporary stoma.

Methods

Fifteen patients underwent colorectal surgery. Before performing the anastomosis in a standard way, the C-Seal (Polyganics BV, Groningen, The Netherlands) was glued to the anvil of the circular stapler. Consequently, the bypass was fixated in the staple row just proximal of the simultaneously made anastomosis. A water-soluble contrast enema was performed after 1 week.

Results

The sheath was well compatible with the standard stapler device and easy to use. All donuts remained intact. No radiologic or clinical leaks were observed after surgery.

Conclusions

This pilot study shows that the C-Seal can be applied successfully in colorectal surgery. Further investigation with large numbers of patients is now necessary to assess the efficacy of the C-Seal as a protective device.     

Effect of catheter-directed arterial embolization and laparoscopic endovascular stapling on stapled vessel integrity in a porcine model

Arterial embolization is a frequently performed adjunctive maneuver prior to laparoscopic splenectomy or nephrectomy to facilitate laparoscopic dissection and reduce intraoperative bleeding. However, little is known regarding the effect of laparoscopic stapling across thrombosed vessels with imbedded embolic materials. This study analyzed the stapled line integrity by comparing visceral arteries treated with either platinum coils or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles. Using a porcine model, 30 visceral vessels including splenic and renal arteries were treated with either coil or PVA embolization, which was followed by laparoscopic stapling. Vessel integrity and bursting pressure analysis was performed using an in vitro flow circuitry. The mean bursting pressure of the coil and the PVA group was 158 +/- 56 and 350 +/- 34 mm Hg, respectively (p < .001). The lowest bursting pressure in the coil and the PVA group was 70 and 280 mm Hg, respectively. The highest bursting pressure in the coil and the PVA group was 225 and 420 mm Hg, respectively. The bursting pressure in the splenic artery between the PVA and the coil group was 345 +/- 29 and 150 +/- 54 mm Hg, respectively (p < .001). Significant difference in the bursting pressure in the renal artery was noted in the PVA and the coil group, which was 350 +/- 40 and 160 +/- 40 mm Hg, respectively (p < .001). Our findings showed that preoperative coil embolization followed by laparoscopic vessel stapling sustained a poor busting pressure. Such a practice appears to be unsafe based on our findings and should be performed with caution in a clinical setting.     

Evaluation of the safety of end-to-end (EEA) stapling anastomoses across linear stapled closures

An experimental study involving circular stapled anastomoses across linear stapled closures is presented. Although the staples were deformed, cut in two, and sometimes uninjured, no complications were found. These data support the use of this technique, which is currently employed in clinic practice.     

Experiences with PPH gun stapled ileo or coloanal anastomoses after ultralow rectal resections and proctocolectomies with J pouch reconstructions

A new method of stapled ileo and coloanal anastomosis with PPH gun (Johnson and Johnson USA) is presented. On 47 totalcolectomised FAP and UC patients and 9 low rectal benign or clinically T1 or T2N0 rectal tumor resection there was only 5 radiologically proven anastomotic leakadge without serious septic complications. The anal sphincter function after 6 month of the ileoanal anastomosis remained good in 33/39 and acceptable in 6 cases, if the sphincter function was intact praeoperatively. There was no worthening of the moderate praeoperatively observed insufficiency. After the ultra low rectal resections all patients kept the normal anal shpincter function. The procedure seems to be as good as the double stapler method, but there remained no remnant mucosal ring between the anastomsois and the dentate line. An additional advantige of the method, that only one stapler was consumed per patient compared to the two one at the double stapler technic.     

Long-term results of stapled and hand-sewn anastomoses in patients with Crohn's disease

AIM: This study aimed at determining the reoperation rates of patients with anastomoses for Crohn's disease. The outcome of patients undergoing stapled anastomoses was compared with that of patients having hand-sewn anastomoses. METHODS: Sixty-three patients undergoing intestinal resection for Crohn's disease at our institution from 1987 to 1996 were studied in a prospective, randomized trial. The group undergoing stapling comprised 30 patients and 37 anastomoses. The group with a hand-sewn anastomosis comprised 33 patients and 45 anastomoses. The median follow-up period was 87 (range 36-140) months. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in operative indications or patients' age and sex between the groups. There was a significant difference in cumulative recurrences between the groups (Cox-Mantel test: p = 0.022). CONCLUSION: A stapled anastomosis after resection for Crohn's disease may delay reoperation in patients with symptomatic recurrence.     

Anorectal dysfunction following low anterior resection for rectal carcinoma: a comparison between handsewn and stapled anastomosis

Sphincter-saving resection for rectal carcinoma is frequently accompanied by anorectal dysfunction (increased stool frequency and varying degrees of faecal incontinence). Although numerous reports regarding this dysfunction have been published, the exact mechanism is still controversial. The purpose of the present study was to compare the functional results of low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal carcinoma following handsewn and stapled anastomosis. The patients with rectal carcinoma were divided into two groups: LAR with handsewn anastomosis (HS) ( n  = 15), and LAR with stapled EEA (U.S. Surgical Corporation) anastomosis (EEA) ( n  = 16; four with 28 mm stapler, 12 with 31 mm stapler). Sixteen patients with carcinoma of sigmoid colon who received high anterior resection (HAR) were taken as the control group. Anorectal functional study was performed preoperatively and post-operatively at 1 week and another after 6 months, whereas routine clinical assessment was carried out preoperatively and 6 months post-operatively. The post-operative maximal resting pressure was significantly reduced in both HS and EEA groups, while a tendency to recovery was observed in the HS and 28 mm stapler group 6 months later. A significant decrease in rectal capacity was noted in the EEA group. The return of rectoanal inhibitory reflex was observed in 67% of the HS group and 37.5% of the EEA group. Although clinically increased stool frequency was experienced in both HS and EEA groups, continence was significantly worse in the EEA group. LAR for rectal carcinoma results in impaired anorectal function, which might present clinically with increased stool frequency and minor faecal soiling. The former may be due partially to reduced neorectal capacity, while the latter may be due to internal anal sphincter dysfunction, possibly because of damage to innervation.