The first sutureless, laser-welded, end-to-end bowel anastomosis.

The use of laser energy to weld together tissue offers great promise in the expanding field of laser surgery. The published results of laser welding intestinal tissue have, to date, been limited to the successful laser closures of small enterotomies. This is the first report of using laser energy alone to create an end-to-end small bowel anastomosis. A biocompatible, water-soluble, intraluminal stent was employed during the laser welding of this sutureless, stapleless ileal anastomosis in a rabbit model. Excellent recovery and healing were observed. The rapidity, ease, and potential for full precision automation of laser welding mandates further research.