title: Long term results of the use of compression anastomosis clips (CAC) in gastrointestinal surgery – the first report.
abstract: The aim of the study was to present the first long-term results on the clinical use of compression anastomosis clips (CAC) in upper and lower gastrointestinal tract anastomoses.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 50 patients who underwent anastomosis of the upper (n = 32) or lower GI tract (n = 18) with the use of CAC. In the period of 6-7 months after the surgery, patients underwent endoscopic examination and computed tomography evaluation of the anastomosis. Each anastomosis was evaluated macro and microscopically. The width of anastomoses was evaluated using a 4-point-scale for grading stenosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 50 patients who underwent anastomosis with compression anastomosis clip, 28 (56%) patients reported to the follow-up examination within 190-209 days of the execution of the anastomosis. Among the 22 patients who did not report to the study, 18 (36%) patients died within 91-154 days from the execution of the anastomosis (mean 122 days), 4 (8%) patients were impossible to contact after discharge from hospital. Two mild stenoses (I0) were diagnosed; 1 of them was found in the gastroenterostomy and 1 in Braun enteroenterostomy. Microscopic changes were diagnosed in 4 anastomoses (3 gastroenterostomies, 1 Braun enteroenterostomy). Anastomoses were well-formed and wide, scars in the line of anastomoses were thin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  During the period of 6 months after the anastomoses performed using CAC have been formed, they were evaluated as unobstructed and functioning properly; therefore, they can be safely performed within the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kuśnierz
authors.forename: Paweł
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lampe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013525:Surgical Instruments