Magnetic compression technique for colonic anastomosis in rats

Abstract

BackgroundMagnetic compression technique (MCT) is useful for construction of digestive tract anastomoses in pigs and dogs. This study determined the efficacy of MCT for performing colonic anastomosis in rats. MethodsTwenty male Sprague–Dawley rats (230-280 g) were randomly apportioned to a study group that underwent colonic anastomosis with MCT or a control group subjected to hand-sewn colonic anastomosis. The groups were compared for time to construct the anastomosis, survival rate, and postoperative complications. Animals were euthanized at 1 mo postsurgery to study the burst pressure and histology of the anastomoses. ResultsThe study group required significantly less time to construct the anastomosis (6.50 ± 1.58 min) than did the control (15.6 ± 2.22 min). The survival rate of the study group (100%) was significantly higher than that of the control group (60%). In the control group, three rats developed anastomotic leakage and one rat developed anastomotic obstruction. No anastomotic leakage or obstruction was observed in the study group. The burst pressures of the two groups were similar. Histology showed that the study group had better alignment of the tissue layers and less inflammation compared with the control group. ConclusionsMCT is a safe and feasible technique for colonic anastomosis in rats, with better postoperative outcomes compared with hand-sewn anastomosis.