Different techniques of laparoscopic end-to-end small-bowel anastomoses

The aim of the study was to prove that laparoscopic stapling devices can be used to create a bowel anastomosis. Three groups with n=6 pigs each were subjected to different techniques of small-bowel anastomoses. In groups I and II anastomosing of the bowel ends was carried out with singly placed staples using a hernia stapler. (Group I: Two-thirds of the circumference became inverted and one-third everted. Group II circumferentially everted). In group III triangular everted anastomoses were produced using a linear noncutting stapler. All animals survived the observation period of 14 days and were postmortally examined. Average construction time was 59 min for groups I and III and 47 min for group II. Average diameters were 14 mm, 16 mm, and 18 mm for groups I, II, and III, respectively. There were no significant differences between the techniques concerning the stability of the anastomoses as expressed by bursting pressures. There were two stenoses in group I animals caused by electrocautery during preparation of the bowel ends prior to anastomosing. Anastomotic insufficiencies or fistulas were not observed clinically or with Gastrografin studies. We conclude that anastomoses in the pig can laparoscopically be constructed by employing singly placed staples as well as a linear stapler. Further investigations of these techniques on large bowel and human specimens are required prior to their clinical use in humans.