Polyglycolic Acid Felt Research Articles

In vivo comparative assessments on pleural adhesive effects of three commercially available sealants

ObjectiveSurgical sealant, which is used for the reinforcement of suture lines, has been widely used in lung-resection surgeries with the aim of reducing postoperative morbidity; however, it may exacerbate surgical-site adhesion, creating the risks of restrictive thoracic movement and a difficult entrance for redo operation. We aimed to assess the pleural adhesive effects of 3 frequently used surgical sealants, (1) fibrin glue (fibrin), (2) a composite of polyethylene glycol and human serum albumin (PEG/HSA), and (3) bioabsorbable polyglycolic acid felt (PGA), in an in vivo setting. MethodsEighty-one rats were randomly assigned to 3 experimental groups—fibrin, PEG/HSA, and PGA. After intrapleural application of the sealants, the extent and severity of adhesion and inflammation were quantitatively compared among the 3 groups at 2, 4, and 8 weeks. ResultsThe scores for both the extent and severity of adhesion were significantly greater in the PGA group than the other 2 groups throughout postoperative period (P < .001 for all). Although both scores in the PES/HSA and fibrin groups were 0 at 2 weeks, the fibrin group showed significantly greater scores than the PES/HSA group thereafter (P < .001 for all). Trends in inflammation scores were similar of those of adhesion scores, favoring the PES/HSA group followed by the fibrin group (P < .001 for all). ConclusionsAmong 3 commonly used sealants, PEA/HSA showed least degree of adhesion/inflammation compared with fibrin and PGA, whereas PGA demonstrated greatest degrees of adhesion/inflammation throughout a postoperative course of 8 weeks in an in vivo model.

Can a stapling device with bioabsorbable polyglycolic acid felt reduce intraoperative air leak?

Currently, it is unknown whether polyglycolic acid (PGA) felt staplers can reduce the occurrence of intraoperative air leaks. We investigated whether staplers with bioabsorbable PGA felt reduced intraoperative air leakage compared to the conventional stapler in patients undergoing lung resection. From 2013 to 2021, 211 patients diagnosed with lung cancer or pulmonary metastasis underwent lung resection using only PGA felt (n=88) or conventional (n=123) staplers at Tokyo Rosai Hospital. One-to-one propensity score matching was used to compare intraoperative air leak rates, operation time, and intraoperative bleeding between the two groups. The PGA felt group required more staples than the conventional stapler group. The forced expiratory volume in one second percentage of predicted in the PGA felt stapler group was lower than that in the conventional stapler group. In the PGA felt stapler group, 56.8% of patients had undergone anatomic lung resection, whereas 29.3% of patients in the conventional stapler group had undergone wedge resection. In a propensity-matched analysis of 67 pairs, the occurrence of intraoperative air leaks was significantly lower in the PGA felt stapler group than in the conventional stapler group (16.4% vs. 56.7%, P<0.001). The operation time was significantly shorter and intraoperative bleeding was significantly lower in the PGA felt stapler group than in the conventional stapler group (P=0.001 and P=0.016, respectively). Pulmonary resection using staplers with a PGA felt could reduce the occurrence of intraoperative air leaks among patients undergoing lung resection.

Thoracoscopic and laparoscopic approach for pleuroperitoneal communication under peritoneal dialysis: a report of four cases

BackgroundPleuroperitoneal communication (PPC) is a rare complication of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and often forces patients to switch to hemodialysis. Some efficiencies of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for PPC have been reported recently; however, there is no standard approach for these complications. In this case series, we present a combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic approach for PPC in four patients to better assess its feasibility and efficiency.Case presentationClinical characteristics, perioperative findings, surgical procedures, and clinical outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. We combined VATS with a laparoscopic approach to detect and repair the diaphragmatic lesions responsible for PPC. We first performed pneumoperitoneum in all patients following thoracoscopic exploration. In two cases, we found bubbles gushing out of a small pore in the central tendon of the diaphragm. The lesions were closed with 4-0 non-absorbable monofilament sutures, covered with a sheet of absorbable polyglycolic acid (PGA) felt, and sprayed with fibrin glue. In the other two cases without bubbles, a laparoscope was inserted, and we observed the diaphragm from the abdominal side. In one of the two cases, two pores were detected on the abdominal side. The lesions were closed using sutures and reinforced using the same procedure. In one case, we failed to detect a pore using VATS combined with the laparoscopic approach. Therefore, we covered the diaphragm with only a sheet of PGA felt and fibrin glue. There was no recurrence of PPC, and CAPD was resumed at an average of 11.3 days.ConclusionsThe combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic approach is an effective treatment for detecting and repairing the lesions responsible for PPC.

Blumgart anastomosis with polyglycolic acid felt reduces the incidence of pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy: A propensity score analysis.

Polyglycolic acid (PGA) felt has been used to prevent clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). However, there has been no related research on Blumgart anastomosis. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the practical significance of Blumgart anastomosis with our new method involving PGA felt to prevent CR-POPF following PD. Data from 133 consecutive patients who underwent Blumgart anastomosis during PD between June 2015 and November 2021 were reviewed. We applied PGA felt to 35 of these patients starting from July 2020. Surgical outcomes were analyzed by propensity score matching. Thirty-five (35.7%) of the 98 patients in the without-PGA group were matched with an equal number from the with-PGA group after adjusting for covariates. CR-POPF was found in 17 patients (49%) in the without-PGA group and two patients (6%) in the with-PGA group (P < .001). The multivariate analysis results indicated that male sex, pancreatic duct size <3 mm, soft pancreatic texture, and nonuse of PGA were independently associated with CR-POPF after PD. In conclusion, Blumgart anastomosis with our new penetrating method for PGA felt reduces the incidence of CR-POPF after PD.

The clinical impact of modified transpancreatic mattress sutures with polyglactin 910 woven mesh on postoperative pancreatic fistula in distal pancreatectomy

BackgroundWe previously reported the stump closure method for the remnant pancreas in distal pancreatectomy, in which soft coagulation and polyglycolic acid felt attached with fibrin glue were utilized. Transpancreatic mattress suture with polyglactin 910 woven mesh was recently reported as a novel stump closure technique. We developed the modified transpancreatic mattress suture with polyglactin 910 woven mesh method, which combined our polyglycolic acid felt method with the transpancreatic mattress suture with polyglactin 910 woven mesh method. MethodsThe polyglycolic acid felt group included patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy in whom the pancreatic stump was closed with the polyglycolic acid felt method from 2017 to 2018 (n = 54); whereas the modified transpancreatic mattress suture with polyglactin 910 woven mesh group included those whose stump was closed with the modified transpancreatic mattress suture with polyglactin 910 woven mesh method from 2019 to 2020 (n = 51). Perioperative parameters, including grade B/C postoperative pancreatic fistula (clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula), were assessed according to the stump closure method. ResultsThe incidence of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula was significantly lower in the modified transpancreatic mattress suture with polyglactin 910 woven mesh group than in the polyglycolic acid felt group (7.8% vs 22.2%, P = .036). In multivariate analysis, the use of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and the transpancreatic mattress suture with polyglactin 910 woven mesh method were independent factors for preventing clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (P = .011 and 0.0038, respectively). Moreover, in the modified transpancreatic mattress suture with polyglactin 910 woven mesh group, the incidence of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula in patients with a thick pancreas (≥13 mm, 6.7%) was comparably as low as that in patients with a thin pancreas (<13 mm, 9.5%). ConclusionThe modified transpancreatic mattress suture with polyglactin 910 woven mesh method is an effective stump closure technique to prevent clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy. Our results warrant further prospective investigation to evaluate the efficacy of the modified transpancreatic mattress suture with polyglactin 910 woven mesh method compared with other standard closure methods (eg, stapler closure or hand-sewn closure).

Efficacy of Linear Stapler With Polyglycolic Acid Felt for Preventing Graft Duodenal Perforation After Pancreas Transplant.

Graft duodenal perforation is a serious complication in pancreas transplantation. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether using a reinforced linear stapler during bench surgery in pancreas transplant affects the risk of graft duodenal perforation. This retrospective study included 47 patients who underwent pancreas transplant at our institution from 2011 to 2020. A reinforced stapler with polyglycolic acid felt was used to dissect the graft duodenum during bench surgery in 16 of the 47 patients (reinforced group). A conventional linear stapler was used in the remaining 31 patients (conventional group). Demographic, perioperative, and postoperative parameters were compared between the reinforced group and the conventional group. Graft duodenal perforation occurred in 6 patients (19.4%) in the conventional group and in none of the patients in the reinforced group. Logistic regression analysis revealed no significant associations between donor- orrecipient-related factors and graft duodenal perforation. Among operative factors, use of a reinforced stapler was the only factor significantly associated with the risk of graft duodenal perforation (odds ratio = 0.12). The use of a reinforced stapler during dissection of the duodenum in bench surgery for pancreas transplant was associated with a lower risk of graft duodenal perforation than use of a conventional stapler.

The efficiency of polyglycolic acid felt in the prevention of pharyngocutaneous fistula after total laryngectomy

• Pharyngocutaneous fistula is one of the major complications of total laryngectomy. • Pharyngocutaneous fistula leads to a significantly increased duration of hospital stay. • The prevention of major complications after TL avoids the delay of possible adjuvant treatments. • The PGA felt adheres to the area of the wound successfully and stimulates epithelialization.

Autologous esophageal mucosa with polyglycolic acid transplantation and temporary stent implantation can prevent stenosis after circumferential endoscopic submucosal dissection.

This research aimed at investigating the safety and efficacy of autologous esophageal mucosa (AEM) with polyglycolic acid (PGA) transplantation and temporary stent implantation (TSI) in preventing esophageal stenosis (ES) after early esophageal cancer (EC) surgery. Between April 2019 and October 2020, patients scheduled for circumferential endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) were prospectively recruited. After ESD, autologous esophageal mucosal patches (MPs) were constructed on the absorbable PGA felt. Then, the felt was structured onto a covered metal mesh stent (CMMS) and attached to the ulcer surface. The stents were removed 6-8 weeks after the operation. The occurrence of ES and adverse events was observed and analyzed. Data from 25 patients were analyzed. In total, 14 patients (56%) had no stenosis during an average follow-up of 10.2 months, and 11 patients (44%) suffered strictures at a mean interval of 63.73 days after the ESD procedure. Stent migration occurred in 2 patients. No other complications, including perforations, bleeding, or wound infections, occurred. The median of endoscopic balloon dilatation (EBD) sessions was 2.16 (range, 0-14). There showed a higher post-ESD stricture rate in patients with lesions located in the middle-lower esophagus (P<0.05). More transplanted MPs may reduce the occurrence of ES. AEM with PGA transplantation and TSI is a safe and effective approach of preventing ES and improving the life quality after circumferential ESD.

A novel hydrogel sheet prevents postoperative pancreatic fistula in a rat model.

AimTo evaluate the efficacy of a novel hydrogel sheet in preventing postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF).BackgroundPostoperative pancreatic fistula is a life‐threatening complication. As no study has reported the use of hydrogel sheets in preventing POPF, their effectiveness for that purpose remains unclear.MethodsA novel hydrogel sheet made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was prepared by the freeze‐thaw method. The pancreatic ducts and surrounding pancreatic parenchyma of rats were transected to induce a pancreatic fistula. Next, the sheet was attached to the transection site. Ascitic fluid amylase and lipase concentrations were measured. Neoveil®, a nonwoven polyglycolic acid (PGA) felt, is already clinically used as an absorbable reinforcing material at pancreatic transection sites. Neoveil® was used for comparison, as was VIEWGEL®, which is marketed as a wound dressing.ResultsThe hydrogel sheet remained in place 48 hours postoperatively. The ascitic amylase concentrations in the control, VIEWGEL®‐treated, Neoveil®‐treated, and hydrogel‐treated rats, respectively, were 4992.4 ± 5355.7, 1068.4 ± 269.1, 730.2 ± 425.2, and 303.1 ± 240.1 IU/L; the ascitic lipase concentrations were 2279.8 ± 3395.2, 169.5 ± 100.6, 90.4 ± 71.0, and 86.8 ± 59.8 IU/L. The ascitic amylase and lipase levels were significantly lower in the hydrogel group than in the other groups (P < .05).ConclusionsThis novel hydrogel sheet effectively prevents pancreatic fistulas and has promising clinical application potential.

Autologous esophageal mucosa with polyglycolic acid transplantation and temporary stent implantation for the prevention of esophageal stenosis after circumferential endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Autologous esophageal mucosa with polyglycolic acid transplantation and temporary stent implantation for the prevention of esophageal stenosis after circumferential endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Reduction of air leakage using linear staple device with bioabsorbable polyglycolic acid felt for pulmonary lobectomy.

Pulmonary fistula is a common complication in pulmonary lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although a linear staple device with bioabsorbable polyglycolic acid (PGA) is used for pulmonary wedge resection with fragile pulmonary parenchyma, the efficacy of the stapler with PGA for dividing incomplete interlobular fissure in pulmonary lobectomy has not been elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of the stapler with PGA in reducing postoperative air leakage when dividing incomplete interlobular fissure in pulmonary lobectomy for NSCLC. A total of 546 patients who underwent radical lobectomy for NSCLC were analyzed retrospectively. Propensity score analysis generated two matched pairs of 125 patients in both stapler and stapler with PGA groups. After propensity score matching, postoperative air leakage following pulmonary lobectomy was significantly less frequent in the stapler with PGA group (9.6%) than in the stapler group (22.4%, p = 0.006). Intraoperative additional management of PGA and/or fibrin glue was decreased in the stapler with PGA group (56.0% vs. 70.4%, p = 0.018, 54.4% vs. 69.6%, p = 0.013, respectively). On logistic regression analysis, stapler with PGA was an independent factor for preventing postoperative air leakage (odds ratio, 0.38; p = 0.015). Using the stapler with PGA to divide the incomplete interlobular fissure in pulmonary lobectomy reduced postoperative air leakage, and decreased the need for additional intraoperative management using fibrin glue.

Simplified Dural Reconstruction Procedure Using Biocompatible Polyglycolic Acid Felt with Autologous Abdominal Fat Grafts after a Transpetrosal Approach

Dural reconstruction after transpetrosal approaches is complicated because complete primary closure of presigmoid dura mater is difficult to achieve. To address this problem, we use biocompatible polyglycolic acid (PGA) felt (Durawave) to reconstruct dural defects. To evaluate the use of PGA felt in dural reconstruction, we compared these results with those after conventional duraplasty using autologous fascia grafts. We retrospectively surveyed all cases involving a transpetrosal approach reported since 2013. In the conventional procedure, autologous fascia was fixed over the dural defect using stay sutures; any remaining dead space was obliterated by placing abdominal fat grafts. Since April 2017, we have used PGA felt instead of fascia. Of the 37 cases identified, 27 were reconstructed according to the conventional procedure, and the remaining 10 cases were reconstructed using PGA felt. Among the 27 conventional cases, 8 involved cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-related complications, including 3 cases of rhinorrhea and 5 cases of subcutaneous fluid collection, and 2 cases (7%) required repair surgery. Of the 10 cases involving PGA felt, 1 case (10%) involved subcutaneous fluid collection and required repair surgery, and whereas the remaining 9 cases had no evidence of CSF leakage. In addition, the median dural reconstruction time using PGA felt was 9 minutes, significantly shorter than that when autologous fascia was used (median, 44 minutes). Using PGA felt for presigmoid dura simplifies dural reconstruction because it obviates the need to suture in a deep field. PGA felt has the potential to prevent CSF-related complications after transpetrosal approaches.

The efficacy of polyglycolic acid felt reinforcement in preventing postoperative pancreatic fistula after pancreaticojejunostomy in patients with main pancreatic duct less than 3\u2009mm in diameter and soft pancreas undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy (PLANET-PJ trial): study protocol for a multicentre randomized phase III trial in Japan and Korea

BackgroundPartial pancreatoduodenectomy is performed for malignant and benign diseases of the pancreatic head region. The procedure is considered highly difficult and highly invasive. Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is an important complication because of several consequent complications, including intraabdominal haemorrhage, often increasing hospital stays and surgical mortality. Although many kinds of pancreaticojejunostomy aimed at reducing POPF have been examined to date, the technique has not yet been standardized. We devised a new method using double-coated polyglycolic acid felt after pancreaticojejunostomy. The aim of the PLANET-PJ trial is to evaluate the superiority of polyglycolic acid felt reinforcement in preventing POPF after pancreaticojejunostomy in patients undergoing partial pancreatoduodenectomy to previous anastomosis methods.MethodsPatients diagnosed with pancreatic or periampullary lesions in whom it is judged that the main pancreatic duct diameter was 3 mm or less on the left side of the portal vein without pancreatic parenchymal atrophy due to obstructive pancreatitis are considered eligible for inclusion. This study is designed as a multicentre randomized phase III trial in Japan and the Republic of Korea. Eligible patients will be centrally randomized to either group A (polyglycolic acid felt reinforcement) or group B (control). In total, 514 patients will be randomized in 31 high-volume centres in Japan and Republic of Korea. The primary endpoint is the incidence of POPF (International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery grade B/C).DiscussionThe PLANET-PJ trial evaluates the efficacy of a new method using double-coated polyglycolic acid felt reinforcement for preventing POPF after pancreaticojejunostomy. This new method may reduce POPF.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03331718. University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry, UMIN000029647. Registered on 30 November 2017. https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000033874

Two Cases of Skull Base Dural Reconstruction with a Polyglycolic Acid Felt (Dura wave&lt;sup&gt;®&lt;/sup&gt;)

内視鏡経鼻頭蓋底手術は広く行われるようになったが, 手術侵襲の程度によっては時に硬膜再建が必要になることがある. 今回, 硬膜補綴材であるポリグリコール酸 (PGA) フェルトを使用し硬膜再建を行った2症例を報告する. 症例1は78歳男性. 嗅神経芽細胞腫 (Kadish 分類 Stage B) の腫瘍切除後に硬膜欠損に対して PGA フェルト・鼻中隔粘膜弁を用いて硬膜再建した. 症例2は68歳女性. 外反性乳頭腫に合併した扁平上皮癌であり, 術中に篩板からの髄液漏を認め PGA フェルト・有茎粘膜弁を用いて硬膜再建した. 術後に感染や髄液漏はなく, PGA フェルトを用いることで簡便かつ短時間で低侵襲に硬膜再建を行うことができた.

The efficacy of polyglycolic acid felt to prevent the pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy ∼A multicenter prospective cohort study∼

Introduction: The pancreas fistula (PF) after distal pancreatectomy (DP) could be a fatal complication, and it is necessary to prevent. Various methods have been devised to prevent PF so far, but the optimal method has not yet been known. It has been proven by animal experiments that fibrin glue formulation interferes with tissue replacement of polyglycolic acid (PGA) felt which is usually used in combination with fibrin glue formulation. Therefore, we designed a multicenter prospective cohort study of remnant closure by stapling plus PGA felt patch after distal pancreatectomy. Method: 30 patients, scheduled for DP in our group, were prospectively enrolled, and received remnant closure by stapling plus PGA felt patch after DP. Four patients were unresected at laparotomy findings, and therefore 26 patients were undergone DP and analyzed the results. Result: Primary diseases were followed; 17 cases were pancreatic adenocarcinoma, 3 pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm, 2 mucinous cystic neoplasm, 2 solid pseudopapillary neoplasm, and 2 others. The mean diameter of main pancreatic duct at the excision site was 2.3 mm (1.0 to 10.0 mm), and the mean thickness of pancreatic parenchyma was 12.3 mm (7.3 to 24.5 mm). PF was found in 9 cases (34.6%) as biochemical leak, in 9 cases (33.9%) as grade B, and no case as grade C of ISGPF (2016). The mean postoperative drainage duration was 6 days (3 to 35 days), and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 16 days (9 to 40 days). Conclusion: The reduction of a fibrin glue formulation from PGA felt and standard stapled remnant closure did not increase the rate or severity of pancreatic fistula in patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy.

A Novel Non-Gas Endospray for Applying Fibrin Glue in Laparoscopic Surgery

Purpose: Fibrin glue and polyglycolic acid felt are used for tissue repair in various surgical procedures. However, using a spray device to apply fibrin sealant during laparoscopic surgery can increase the intraperitoneal pressure, which can cause complications such as air embolism. We developed a novel non-gas endospray for use in laparoscopic surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the sealing effect of this non-gas endospray in comparison with a conventional gas-spray device and to evaluate the safety of its application in the clinical setting. Materials and Methods: An ex vivo pressure test model was used to assess the sealing effect of the non-gas endospray (method 1) versus conventional gas-spray (method 2). A bottle was sealed with a rabbit skin sample that had been pierced nine times by a 19G needle. Each skin sample was sealed using either method 1 or method 2 (n = 10 for each method). The non-gas endospray was then used in two patients undergoing laparoscopic splenectomy with CO2 pneumoperitoneum. Intra-abdominal pressure was measured throughout the surgery. Results: Bursting pressures were similar in method 1 (246.9 ± 123.2 mmHg) and method 2 (265.5 ± 93.6 mmHg; P = 0.7082). During laparoscopic splenectomy, the non-gas endospray was successfully used to apply fibrin glue without any increase in intra-abdominal pressure. Conclusions: The novel non-gas endospray produced a strong sealing effect similar to that of a conventional gas-spray device and has thus far proved feasible in the clinical setting.

Polyglycolic Acid Felt for Prevention of Frey Syndrome After Parotidectomy.

Frey syndrome is one of the important complications of parotid surgery. Placing a barrier between the parotid gland and the skin flap is considered to be effective for preventing this syndrome by blocking misdirected regeneration of nerve fibers. Neoveil is nonwoven polyglycolic acid (PGA) felt that is used as absorbable reinforcing material. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of this PGA felt as a barrier for preventing Frey syndrome. A total of 19 patients who underwent superficial parotidectomy from 2012 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Application of PGA felt (n = 9) or sternocleidomastoid flap (SCMF) transfer (n = 10) was performed to prevent Frey syndrome. The total operating time, intraoperative blood loss, operating time after parotidectomy, and postoperative drainage volume were compared between the 2 groups. The operating time after parotidectomy was significantly shorter in the PGA felt group than in the SCMF group (43.7 ± 10.7 vs 57.8 ± 15.7 minutes). The total operative time was shorter and the drainage volume was smaller in the PGA felt group than those in the SCMF group without statistical significance (210.1 ± 43.4 vs 234.3 ± 52.7 minutes and 80.6 ± 36.8 vs 118.8 ± 83.9 mL). Neither Frey syndrome nor other major complications occurred in either group. Use of PGA felt successfully prevented Frey syndrome, while being technically simpler and more rapid compared with SCMF transfer.

Safety and durability of the biodegradable felt in aortic surgery: a propensity score-matched study.

Suture line disruption is a serious complication after aortic surgery. We previously reported in a canine model that basic fibroblast growth factor-incorporated biodegradable polyglycolic acid (PGA) felt prevented tissue derangement at the anastomotic site. This study sought to evaluate the safety and durability of this biodegradable felt. Between January 2007 and December 2011, 67 patients who consented to undergo aortic surgery with the basic fibroblast growth factor-incorporated PGA felt were enrolled (Group P). As a control, we retrospectively reviewed the charts of 129 patients who underwent aortic surgery using a polytetrafluoroethylene felt during the same registration period (Group N). On the basis of 18 preoperative covariates, 60 well-matched patient pairs were identified using propensity matching, and their clinical indices were compared. Among the matched pairs, in-hospital mortality and postoperative complication rates did not statistically differ between the groups. During a median follow-up of 4.8 years, the rate of anastomotic aneurysm was 1.7% (1 patient) in both groups. The rates of overall survival and freedom from aortic events did not differ between the groups. In total, 65 anastomoses in Group P and 54 anastomoses in Group N were monitored via computed tomography, and the diameters of the juxta-anastomotic sites in Group N were more likely to be increased than those in Group P {dilatation ratio [(post-discharge diameter - predischarge diameter)/predischarge diameter × 100 (%)]: 4.3% ± 0.6% vs 2.5% ± 0.5%, P = 0.01}. The basic fibroblast growth factor-incorporated PGA felt was as safe and durable as conventional felt for reinforcement in aortic surgery. The attenuation of juxta-anastomotic aortic dilatation by PGA felt reinforcement may provide more beneficial effects on long-term outcomes.

Anastomotic Leakage Using Linear Stapling Device with Pre-attached Bioabsorbable Polyglycolic Acid Felt After Laparoscopic Anterior Resection.

Many studies have evaluated the risk factors for anastomotic leakage after laparoscopic anterior resection. In this study in order to increase the tightness of anastomoses and prevent bleeding from their staple lines, a linear stapler with pre-attached bioabsorbable polyglycolic acid (PGA) felt was used for rectal transection, and the short-term surgical outcomes were evaluated. A prospective registry of 62 patients with rectosigmoidal or rectal carcinoma who initially underwent laparoscopic anterior resection using PGA felt for rectal transection was reviewed. The overall frequency of anastomotic leakage was 1.6% (1/62), and none of the patients developed postoperative staple line bleeding or other adverse events related to the use of PGA felt. The frequency of anastomotic leakage was relatively low, and therefore the use of a linear stapler with pre-attached bioabsorbable PGA felt might reduce the risk of adverse events related to anastomosis, especially anastomotic leakage.

Linear Stapling Device with Pre-attached Bioabsorbable Polyglycolic Acid Felt Reduces Postoperative Pancreatic Fistula After Distal Pancreatectomy.

The incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) remains high at approximately 30% of cases with distal pancreatectomy (DP) and is associated with higher incidence of life-threatening complications. However, the most appropriate closure technique for the pancreatic stump during DP remains controversial. We, herein, present details of the use of a linear stapling device with pre-attached bioabsorbable polyglycolic acid (PGA) felt for pancreatic stump closure during DP. Grade B or C POPF occurred in only one case (5%) among 22 consecutive patients.