BACKGROUND: Despite marked improvements in pancreatic surgery, the high incidence of pancreatic fistula and high morbidity after resection persists. PURPOSES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of electrosurgical and stapling devices as an alternative to traditional methods of stump closure in an animal model of distal pancreatectomy. METHODS: Four devices were used for transection of the pancreatic body : a bi-polar thermofusion system attached to an automatic irrigation function (BI, n = 3), a bi-polar tissue sealer (BS, n = 3), an ultrasonic scissor (US, n = 3), and an endoscopic stapling device (ES, n = 3). For each group, burst pressure was tested using an electronic manometer, with a focus on the location (s) of the first disruption (s). Histological examination was performed for the dissected surfaces. The transection line, including staples, was embedded in a polyester resin, and histological examination was performed for these polished sections of the resin. RESULTS: Pressure was significantly higher for BI (P < 0.01) than that for the other devices. In contrast, thermal denaturation of the pancreas parenchyma was observed at a depth of approximately 1 mm from the dissected portion for BS, while it extended beyond 15 mm for BI. The staple line was the first disruption point for all of ES cases. CONCLUSIONS: The pellicle of the pancreas is likely to be deficient after a surgical operation. If the pellicle is preserved, the strength of the pellicle may be insufficient for complete closure with high stapling mechanical pressure or the protein coagulation of usually used electrosurgical devices.
BACKGROUND: Despite marked improvements in pancreatic surgery, the high incidence of pancreatic fistula and high morbidity after resection persists. PURPOSES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of electrosurgical and stapling devices as an alternative to traditional methods of stump closure in an animal model of distal pancreatectomy. METHODS: Four devices were used for transection of the pancreatic body : a bi-polar thermofusion system attached to an automatic irrigation function (BI, n = 3), a bi-polar tissue sealer (BS, n = 3), an ultrasonic scissor (US, n = 3), and an endoscopic stapling device (ES, n = 3). For each group, burst pressure was tested using an electronic manometer, with a focus on the location (s) of the first disruption (s). Histological examination was performed for the dissected surfaces. The transection line, including staples, was embedded in a polyester resin, and histological examination was performed for these polished sections of the resin. RESULTS: Pressure was significantly higher for BI (P < 0.01) than that for the other devices. In contrast, thermal denaturation of the pancreas parenchyma was observed at a depth of approximately 1 mm from the dissected portion for BS, while it extended beyond 15 mm for BI. The staple line was the first disruption point for all of ES cases. CONCLUSIONS: The pellicle of the pancreas is likely to be deficient after a surgical operation. If the pellicle is preserved, the strength of the pellicle may be insufficient for complete closure with high stapling mechanical pressure or the protein coagulation of usually used electrosurgical devices.