[Anastomosis of the colon using the Valtrac biofragmentable ring]

Since January 1995, Valtrac biofragmentary ring for compressive anastomosis of the colon has been employed in Croatia. This study comprises experience in four Croatian hospitals in which 244 anastomoses of the colon with Valtrac biofragmentary ring were performed in the four-year period (1995-1998). The average age of the patients was 64.7 years. One hundred and eighty-seven of them (76.64%) were operated for colon cancer, 15 (6.1%) for Crohn's disease, eight (3.3%) for rectal cancer, and 34 for other diseases. One hundred and nineteen anastomoses were made between small intestine and colon, and 125 end-to-end of the colon. Valtrac BAR 28 mm in diameter was most frequently used (41.8%), and 34 mm in diameter least often (8.6%). Sixteen patients had complications related to anastomosis. One had obstruction which required repeated surgery, and 15 (6.15%) dehiscence of the anastomosis, of which 12 were reoperated. In the postoperative course six patients (2.46%) died due to the sequelae of dehiscence. Compressive anastomoses with Valtrac biofragmentary ring should be considered equal to manual and stapler methods when choosing the technique of colon anastomosis.