title: The application of the V-Loc closure device for gastrointestinal sutures: a preliminary study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Leakage is one of the major complications in gastrointestinal surgery. This preliminary study compared a new barbed absorbable thread for gastrointestinal sutures with monofil suture material in a cadaver model.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, mechanical experiments were performed in 20 recently deceased individuals. Incisions were made in the small intestine, colon, and stomach, and then sutures were created with the V-Loc closure device and monofil suture material. Intestinal bursting pressure was measured by inserting a balloon and slowly filling it with air until there was a dehiscence, or wall or suture rupture.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The bursting pressures differed significantly between the two sutures in the small intestine, showing the advantage of the V-Loc closure device, which had a mean bursting pressure of 116.2 mmHg compared with 110 mmHg for the monofil suture (p = 0.003). The mean bursting pressure did not differ significantly between the two sutures in the colon and the stomach. The mean bursting pressures for the V-Loc closure device were 141.3 mmHg (stomach) and 137.2 mmHg (colon) compared with the monofil suture material bursting pressures of 133 mmHg (stomach) and 134.8 mmHg (colon).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because the bursting strength of the sutures created with monofil suture material differs significantly from that of the V-Loc closure device, the V-Loc suture material should be used for gastrointestinal sutures. Although the two sutures did not differ significantly in the colon or the stomach, the V-Loc closure device should be used for these as well because its advantages may overrule those of the monofil suture. No knot tying is required, and the operating time can be shorter. Especially for laparoscopic surgery, the V-Loc closure device is recommended.
authors: Department for Orthopaedics and Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria, elena.nemecek@meduniwien.ac.at.
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Nemecek
authors: Lukas
authors: L
authors: Negrin
authors: Claudia
authors: C
authors: Beran
authors: Romina
authors: R
authors: Nemecek
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Hollinsky
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D057868:Anastomotic Leak / Q000517:prevention & control; D002102:Cadaver; D003106:Colon; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007421:Intestine, Small; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011312:Pressure; D013270:Stomach; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000517:prevention & control; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013537:Sutures; D013718:Tensile Strength; D058106:Wound Closure Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*
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