Sutured laparoscopic cholecystojejunostomy evolved in an animal model.

In a series of acute and chronic experiments conducted in young pigs during a 2-year period, we have evolved a quick knotting technique to start and end a suture line and developed a curved 'Endoski' needle to improve needle passage through the tissues. These have been employed in the construction of cholecystojejunal anastomoses using a semi-closed technique with a single layer (deep seromuscular) of continuous polyglactin sutures. In chronic experiments in pigs, patent well healed bilioenteric anastomoses, which conveyed bile satisfactorily after ligation of the common bile duct, distal to the cystic duct, were achieved. A virtual absence of adhesions in these animals was noted.