Published online May 21, 2016. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i19.4707
Peer-review started: January 20, 2016
First decision: February 18, 2016
Revised: March 2, 2016
Accepted: March 14, 2016
Article in press: March 14, 2016
Published online: May 21, 2016
Processing time: 119 Days and 15.7 Hours
AIM: To explore the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic colonic anastomosis using a degradable stent in a porcine model.
METHODS: Twenty Bama mini-pigs were randomly assigned to a stent group (n = 10) and control group (hand-sewn anastomosis, n = 10). The anastomotic completion and operation times were recorded, along with histological examination, postoperative general condition, complications, mortality, bursting pressure, and the average anastomotic circumference (AC).
RESULTS: All pigs survived postoperatively except for one in the stent group that died from ileus at 11 wk postoperatively. The operation and anastomotic completion times of the stent group were significantly shorter than those of the control group (P = 0.004 and P = 0.001, respectively). There were no significant differences in bursting pressure between the groups (P = 0.751). No obvious difference was found between the AC and normal circumference in the stent group, but AC was significantly less than normal circumference in the control group (P = 0.047, P < 0.05). No intestinal leakage and luminal stenosis occurred in the stent group. Histological examination revealed that the stent group presented with lower general inflammation and better healing.
CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic colonic anastomosis with a degradable stent is a simple, rapid, and safe procedure in this porcine model.
Core tip: We explored the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic colonic anastomosis using a degradable stent in a porcine model. Twenty Bama mini-pigs were randomly assigned to a stent group and hand-sewn anastomosis group. The operation and anastomotic completion times of the stent group were significantly shorter than those of the control group. There was no significant difference between the anastomotic and normal circumference in the stent group. No intestinal leakage and luminal stenosis occurred in the stent group. Histological examination of anastomoses revealed that the stent group presented with less general inflammation and better healing than the control group.