title: [The use of the biofragmentable ring (BAR-Valtrac) in colon surgery].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Clinical results of colic anastomosis using biofragmentable anastomosis ring (BAR-Valtrac) are presented. Such a method showed to be a real alternative technique to the usual ones.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-six colic anastomosis using BAR are collected, 76 of which performed as elective surgery and 10 in emergency. The patients were 47 males and 39 females, with a mean age of 64 years. In 63 cases the patients were affected by colic neoplastic disease, in 16 by complicated diverticular disease (stenosis or perforation) and 7 patients had neoplastic disease of other organs involving the colon BAR device was used in 48 colic reconstructions after segmentary resection and in 38 colic reconstructions after left hemicolectomy. In each case 31-34 mm BAR were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No perioperative death occurred in our series. Only one case (2%) of anastomotic leak was observed, while in 3 cases (4%) intestinal canalization disorders occurred. No problems for ring expulsion occurred in any patient. Three late complications were observed, as three cases of asymptomatic substenosis discovered during instrumental follow-up and spontaneously cleared up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  On the basis of clinical results, and according to those reported in literature BAR anastomosis is considered a safe, feasible and easy technique to perform colic anastomosis, even in emergency, limited to the intraperitoneal tract of the colon.
authors.affiliation: Divisione di Clinica Chirurgica I, Università degli Studi, Milano.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Fina
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Franciosi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Codecasa
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Real
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Colombo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Visintini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Romano
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Uggeri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003106:Colon / Q000601:surgery*; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials