title: Experimental development in colorectal surgery.
abstract: A one year research programme on endoscopic colorectal resections was carried out at the University of Tübingen. Two research lines were planned: the development of the required technologies and the development of the surgical procedure. During the research programme on technologies a new device provided with an air proof system for transanal insertion of the anvil of a divisible stapler and a new technique for closure of the colonic and rectal stumps (cable binding technique) were developed. Such technological innovations enabled the authors to accomplish a new combined laparoscopic-rectoscopic procedure which was performed according to four different variants in a series of 32 animals. The last 15 consecutive successful cases, performed according to the definitive procedure, represented a standardized animal trial before starting the clinical investigation.
authors.affiliation: Fourth Surgical Clinic, Rome University La Sapienza, Italy.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Lirici
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Melzer
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Reutebuch
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Buess
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D003082:Colectomy / Q000379:methods; D003106:Colon / Q000601:surgery*; D012809:Colon, Sigmoid / Q000601:surgery; D004867:Equipment Design; D020706:Laparoscopes; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D020700:Proctoscopes; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery*; D012756:Sheep; D013528:Surgical Staplers; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature