title: Use of a linear stapling device to construct an inverted, triangulated, end-to-end anastomosis of the equine jejunum.
abstract: An inverting, triangulated, stapled, end-to-end anastomosis technique was evaluated in the jejunum of four horses. None of the horses showed evidence of gastrointestinal disturbance after surgery; however, stricture and adhesion formation were pronounced in three animals examined 10 days, one month, and two months after surgery. The animal examined four months after surgery had no adhesions present at the anastomosis, and only mild narrowing of the intestinal lumen. Histologic examination of the anastomoses showed lack of a normal mucosal lining in some examined sections up to two months postsurgery. While mucosal and serosal continuity were eventually reestablished, this was not true of the muscularis, the ends of which were joined by fibrous tissue. Gaps in the staple line and malalignment of staples were present in the animal examined four months after surgery, indicating migration and/or loss of the staples from the anastomosis. The inverting, triangulated staple technique had little or no apparent advantages over previously reported results with similar everting techniques. The severity of adhesions observed with the inverting technique suggests that the adhesions observed with the similar everting technique may not be due solely to the everted nature of the anastomosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Animal and Equine Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27606.
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Bristol
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cullen
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006736:Horses / Q000601:surgery*; D007579:Jejunal Diseases / Q000662:veterinary; D007583:Jejunum / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000662:veterinary; D013528:Surgical Staplers / Q000662:veterinary*; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000662:veterinary