title: A new device to facilitate intestinal pull-through procedures.
abstract: The difficulty in passing segments of the intestine from the abdominal cavity to the desired location during pull-through procedures has been facilitated considerably by the use of a new device called the enterotractor. This hollow tubular stainless steel instrument allows the surgeon to fit and tie the intestine over a movable olive shaped head which can be retracted by releasing a locking mechanism at which point the intestine can then be pulled through safely. No complications have been encountered using this tool in the 63 patients intervened since 1982 and the operating time has been shortened creating an adequate size tunnel for the pull-through procedure. Excellent traction of the intestinal segment is provided, and the use of pursestring sutures and clamps is avoided. In addition, the simplified technique prevented leakage of the anastomosed contents of the intestine, therefore, minimizing contamination.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Cirugia Pediatrica, Hospital Paula Jaraquemada, Universidad de Chile, Santiago.
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Barraza
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation; D004944:Esophagoplasty / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000601:surgery*; D013525:Surgical Instruments