Intestinal anastomosis with the biofragmentable anastomosis ring.

BACKGROUND

The fear of anastomotic complications prevents the spread of the use of the biofragmentable anastomosis ring (BAR) in intestinal surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 453 patients underwent intestinal resection and anastomosis with the BAR.

RESULTS

In all, 514 anastomoses have been carried out, 424 (83%) in elective settings, and 90 (18%) in emergency. Fifty-one patients had multiple anastomoses. Reoperation was performed in 4 patients (1%) who had a complete anastomotic leakage. In 13 patients (3%), anastomotic leakage was partial, and only 1 patient required reoperation. No postoperative intestinal obstruction occurred. Four patients (1%) developed late anastomotic strictures, which have been treated by endoscopic dilation.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our experience and those of other large clinical series definitely confirm the effectiveness of the BAR method, which seems to be a standard, easy, rapid, and safe technique either in elective or emergency surgery.