[Initial experiences with the bio-fragmentable Valtrac anastomosis ring].

The biofragmentable ring (Valtrac) to perform a sutureless bowel anastomosis was used in a short period until complications rate became to big. There were six ileo-colostomies with the 28 mm ring and 7 colo-colostomies with the 31 mm ring. In 4 patients additional sutures were placed because the ring was shining through the tissue. Thirteen patients (4 women, 9 men) with a mean age of 63 years (36-78) were included. Complications occurred in 3 men (71, 36 and 63 years old). Two of them had an additional suturing. One demonstrated insufficiency at day four with many small gabs in the anastomotic line according to the ring design. Histology demonstrated perfect microcirculation. The second patient developed a fistula three weeks after operation. Both had an ileo-colostomy. The third operated because of a gastrocolic fistula with cachexia reentered hospital seven weeks postoperatively with a new gastrocolic fistula on X-ray. He died with a cardiac arrest. Postmortem was refused. We conclude from our results that the Valtrac ring should be used only by experienced surgeons, there is no reduction in operation time, and ileo-colostomy needs special care. We believe that surgeons using an extramucosal monofilament running suture for colonic anastomosis are more unlikely to switch to the Valtrac ring than those using other technics.