title: Use of the LigaSure device and the Stapler for closure of the small bowel: a comparative ex vivo study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the LigaSure device in closing divisions of the small bowel in an ex vivo porcine model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two types of closure were performed: stumps created by "muco-mucosa" fusion and stumps created by "sero-serosa" fusion. For each type of closure, different power levels of the LigaSure system were tested in combination with different numbers of applications and then compared with the Stapler group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With both types of intestinal closure, the highest value of burst pressure was obtained with the application of a power level of three bars and one frequency application. The high burst pressure of the muco-mucosa stump group was significantly lower than that of the Stapler group (41.8 ± 5.9 vs. 75.8 ± 5.9, respectively, p < 0.01). No differences were found between the high burst pressure of the sero-serosa stump group and the Stapler group (74.1 ± 5.5 vs. 75.8 ± 5.9, respectively, p = 0.2).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our preliminary results showed that the LigaSure is an efficient tool for closing the intestines when sero-serosa stumps are created. The second step of our work will be to evaluate the feasibility of this tool in creating intestinal anastomoses.
authors.affiliation: Thoracic Surgery Unit, Second University of Naples, Piazza Miraglia 2, Naples, 80138, Italy. mario.santini@unina2.it
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santini
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fiorelli
authors.forename: Gaetana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Messina
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Laperuta
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mazzella
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Accardo
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation*; D000818:Animals; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000601:surgery*; D023421:Models, Animal; D013528:Surgical Staplers; D017792:Surgical Stapling / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013552:Swine