Sutureless end-to-end bowel anastomosis using an argon laser and water-soluble intraluminal stent.
Sutureless end-to-end intestinal anastomoses were constructed in New Zealand white rabbits using an argon laser to weld the tissue edges, which were temporarily held together by a biodegradable, water-soluble, intraluminal stent. Various power settings ranging from 1.5 to 5 W were used with and without an exogenous chromophore (India ink). Delivering 4 W of power without using an exogenous chromophore but applying a continuous saline drip to the anastomotic seam during lasing proved most successful. We conclude that argon laser energy can be used to construct successful sutureless end-to-end intestinal anastomoses.
Department of Urology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston.
A J
AJ
Costello
D E
DE
Johnson
D M
DM
Cromeens
K I
KI
Wishnow
J Y
JY
Ro
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D007082:Ileum / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D011817:Rabbits; D015607:Stents