Lactomer copolymer absorbable staples in gastrointestinal surgery.

We performed a series of experimental studies to determine the clinical feasibility of using lactomer copolymer absorbable staples in gastrointestinal surgery. The stapling properties, reliability of suture and wound healing, and degree of inflammatory response were compared to similar properties of standard metal staples and polyglactin sutures. The absorbable staples were used in partial gastric transection, Billroth II gastrojejunostomy, and to close the ileum and ascending colon as part of an ileocecal resection. There were no deaths or complications in the nine experimental animals. At sacrifice 2 and 4 weeks after operation, the absorbable staples were intact with little or no macroscopic or microscopic evidence of absorption. The mucosal and submucosal layers were completely healed at 2 weeks, but muscular and serosal layers, although in excellent approximation, were incompletely joined. Inflammatory reactions around the lactomer staples and polyglactin sutures were comparable, but greater than that observed around metal staples. The studies suggest that staple techniques using absorbable materials are feasible and safe in gastrointestinal surgery.