Biofragmentable anastomosis ring for laparoscopic bowel surgery.

Laparoscopic surgery is now being applied for colonic resection, and one of the key challenges is fashioning a sound anastomosis. The biofragmentable anastomosis ring, a modern version of the Murphy Button, has been utilized in a series of experiments to develop and evaluate laparoscopic anatomotic techniques. A series of purpose-built devices were used to fashion left and right simulated colectomies as well as for a variety of other anastomoses. Survival animal experiments were performed and demonstrate the feasibility of this technique.