title: New anastomotic gun for biofragmentable anastomotic ring in low anterior resection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The biofragmentable anastomotic ring remains difficult to use for low rectal anastomosis. The authors report their experience of clinical application of the biofragmentable ring in low anterior resection with a newly designed instrument.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this series, 31 patients underwent sphincter-preserving low anterior resections for rectal tumors from May 1993 to November 1994. With the assistance of a self-developed anastomotic instrument (biofragmentable anastomotic ring gun), biofragmentable ring anastomoses were performed following low anterior resection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no operative mortality. One patient had clinical evidence of anastomotic leakage. In postoperative follow-up, there was no anastomotic stenosis or incontinence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Therefore, we believe biofragmentable ring rectal anastomosis is a safe and reliable alternative to other anastomotic methods in rectal surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Taipei Municipal Jen-Ai Hospital, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery*