OBJECTIVE: To compare healing of one-layer colonic anastomoses with or without a soluble intraluminal prosthesis (* SBS-tube). DESIGN: Randomised, partly blinded controlled study. SETTING: University hospital, Denmark. SUBJECTS: 16 female Danish country strain pigs, of which 8 had the SBS tube inserted and 8 acted as controls. INTERVENTIONS: One-layer colonic anastomoses either hand-sewn (n = 8, controls) or hand-sewn onto an SBS tube (n = 8). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Macroscopic evaluation, leakage test, breaking strength, histology, oxygen tension in and near the anastomosis peroperatively and 4 days postoperatively. RESULTS: Three quarters of the tubes (n = 8) dissolved in less than 2 hours. Histological examination showed significantly better structured layers and more mucosal epithelial covering in the SBS group. The other histological variables examined were: tissue gap (p < 0.08), inflammation (p < 0.10), breaking strength (p < 0.46) and amount of granulation tissue (p < 0.71), but the last findings were not significant. Oxygen tension at the anastomotic line was better in the SBS tube group, but not significantly so. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the SBS tube facilitates the sewing of the anastomosis and may improve healing, possibly because of better apposition of the cut ends and reduced tension in the sutures.
OBJECTIVE: To compare healing of one-layer colonic anastomoses with or without a soluble intraluminal prosthesis (* SBS-tube). DESIGN: Randomised, partly blinded controlled study. SETTING: University hospital, Denmark. SUBJECTS: 16 female Danish country strain pigs, of which 8 had the SBS tube inserted and 8 acted as controls. INTERVENTIONS: One-layer colonic anastomoses either hand-sewn (n = 8, controls) or hand-sewn onto an SBS tube (n = 8). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Macroscopic evaluation, leakage test, breaking strength, histology, oxygen tension in and near the anastomosis peroperatively and 4 days postoperatively. RESULTS: Three quarters of the tubes (n = 8) dissolved in less than 2 hours. Histological examination showed significantly better structured layers and more mucosal epithelial covering in the SBS group. The other histological variables examined were: tissue gap (p < 0.08), inflammation (p < 0.10), breaking strength (p < 0.46) and amount of granulation tissue (p < 0.71), but the last findings were not significant. Oxygen tension at the anastomotic line was better in the SBS tube group, but not significantly so. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the SBS tube facilitates the sewing of the anastomosis and may improve healing, possibly because of better apposition of the cut ends and reduced tension in the sutures.