title: The use of the Valtrac ring in the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract, for single, double, and triple anastomoses: a report of 50 cases.
abstract: The Valtrac biofragmentable anastomotic ring (V-BAR) technique has been widely used in clinical practice, particularly in anastomoses of the colon. The success of this method encouraged some surgeons to use it also in anastomosis of the small intestine. We are convinced that the method can be used successfully also in anastomosis of the small intestine and the upper gastrointestinal tract, particularly in cases of technically difficult and high-risk anastomoses. Between 1995 and 1998, we used the V-BAR in 35 patients, performing a total of 50 anastomoses. In 13 patients a double anastomosis was created in the same operation, and in one patient a triple anastomosis was created. In all we performed one end-to-end esophagojejunostomy, one gastrojejunostomy, six gastroileostomies, two duodenojejunal anastomoses, 13 end-to-end duodenoileostomies, one jejuno-jejunal anastomosis, 18 end-to-side ileoileal anastomoses, one ileocolic anastomosis, and seven colocolic anastomoses. Follow-up at between 2 and 36 months showed good overall results with regard to resumption of intestinal transit and canalization, even in those cases in which a double and triple suture was performed using the Valtrac ring. In our experience, the V-BAR can be used in upper gastrointestinal surgery with excellent results. Compared with manual sutures, the ring allows better and faster resumption of transit and canalization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Universitá degli Studi di Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Cossu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Coppola
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fais
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ruggiu
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Spartà
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Profili
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bifulco
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Meloni
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Noya
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004946:Esophagostomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007582:Jejunostomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D013536:Suture Techniques