A Simple Method for Sutureless Gastrointestinal Anastomosis in Rat

Magnetic compression technique for colonic anastomosis in rats

BACKGROUND

Magnetic compression technique (MCT) is useful for construction of digestive tract anastomoses in pigs and dogs. This study determined the efficacy of MCT for performing colonic anastomosis in rats.

METHODS

Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats (230-280 g) were randomly apportioned to a study group that underwent colonic anastomosis with MCT or a control group subjected to hand-sewn colonic anastomosis. The groups were compared for time to construct the anastomosis, survival rate, and postoperative complications. Animals were euthanized at 1 mo postsurgery to study the burst pressure and histology of the anastomoses.

RESULTS

The study group required significantly less time to construct the anastomosis (6.50 ± 1.58 min) than did the control (15.6 ± 2.22 min). The survival rate of the study group (100%) was significantly higher than that of the control group (60%). In the control group, three rats developed anastomotic leakage and one rat developed anastomotic obstruction. No anastomotic leakage or obstruction was observed in the study group. The burst pressures of the two groups were similar. Histology showed that the study group had better alignment of the tissue layers and less inflammation compared with the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

MCT is a safe and feasible technique for colonic anastomosis in rats, with better postoperative outcomes compared with hand-sewn anastomosis.

The clipped intestinal non-perforating anastomosis of small bowel: a new technique

In contrast to adult surgery, the neonatal small intestine confronts the surgeon, depending on the age of the patient, with variable diameters of the intestine. Therefore, anastomoses are usually performed by hand with interrupted sutures. In the presented study, a new technique is demonstrated. An anastomosis in the distal ileum of Sprague Dawley rats was performed with a single clamp applicator (Anastoclip). Small bowel anastomoses were performed in 32 rats. The clipped bowel anastomosis was evaluated concerning stenosis, leakage, and adhesions in comparison to the sutured anastomosis. Tension test and X-ray examination were performed to measure the stability. The rats were sacrificed at day 3 or 14 after laparotomy. The clipped anastomosis is feasible, and faster to perform than the conventional hand-sutured anastomosis (Operation time: control group: 18.5 min versus clipped group 4 min; p > 0.05). Furthermore, there were differences in the mechanical stability, with higher tension forces needed for rupturing the clipped anastomosis. There were fewer stenoses (16.5 mm stenotic diameter in the control group versus 20.6 mm in the clipped group) and fewer adhesions in the group of the clipped anastomosis. Histological examinations were performed and did not show significant differences between the two groups. In the animal model presented, the clipped, intestinal, non-perforating anastomosis (CINPA) shows advantages compared to the common hand-sutured anastomosis.