Incorporation of a Poly-ε-Caprolactone Scaffold in a ;Circular Stapled End-To-End Small Intestine Anastomosis Does Not Have Any Adverse Effects Within 30 days: A Study in Piglets.

Background Incorporation of a poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) scaffold in circular stapled anastomoses has been shown to increase the anastomotic tensile strength on postoperative day (POD) 5 in a pig model. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of incorporation of a PCL scaffold in a circular stapled end-to-end small intestine anastomosis, with stricture formation and anastomotic histology as primary outcomes in a 30-day observation period. Methods A total of 15 piglets were included. In each piglet, three circular stapled end-to-end anastomoses were made in the small intestines. Two were interventional and one was a control. On POD 10, 20, or 30, the anastomoses were subjected to intraluminal contrast study, and the index for anastomotic lumen was calculated. The anastomotic segment was resected and subjected to a tensile strength test and histological examination. Results At POD 10, the mean ± SD value for anastomotic index was .749 ± .065 in control anastomoses and .637 ± .051 in interventional anastomosis ( = .0046), at POD 20, .541 ± .150 and .724 ± .07 ( = .051), and at POD 30, .645 ± .103 and .686 ± .057 ( = .341), respectively. No significant difference was observed in maximum tensile strength and histology at POD 30. Conclusions The incorporation of a PCL scaffold in a circular stapled end-to-end small intestine anastomosis does not increase the risk of stricture or impair wound healing after 30 days.