[Biliary endo-to-end anastomosis with extramucosal titanium clips. Initial results of a new technique]

Bile duct anastomoses are still associated with a high failure rate. Although following iatrogenic bile duct transection only a positive selected group of patients get a primary end-to-end reconstruction, long-term results demonstrate an incidence of postoperative strictures up to 78%. Also in orthotopic liver transplantation biliary tract complications remain a significant cause of morbidity with an incidence of up to 49%. Since these complications can also be seen under optimal circumstances, the methodically based disadvantages of the conventional hand suturing like perforating needle injury of the choledochal wall with intraluminal suture material, the suboptimal approximation of the mucosal edges and an inhibited blood flow in the choledochal stumps caused by a suture related tissue strangulation may also responsible. Thus there is a search for alternative anastomosis techniques.

To test extramucous placed titanium clips for biliary reconstruction after complete division of the bile duct we performed an end-to-end-anastomosis in 9 pigs. Therefore we used the VCS (Vascular Closure Staples)-instruments (Auto Suture).

The application of the VCS-clips (medium size) permitted the technical realization of a tension free, everted anastomosis with an exact approximation of the mucosal edges. One of the animals died from aero embolism intraoperatively. All the others showed a complication-free postoperative period without any signs of anastomotic leakage or stenosis (follow-up: 6 months). At histological examination there were smooth and intact mucosal surfaces in all pigs and--especially important for the development of strictures--only a very mild fibrosis and inflammation.

The potential advantage of the VCS-clip-technique is the non-penetrating tissue approximation with optimal contact of the mucosal layers that does not compromise the blood flow in the choledochal stumps. Before clinical use can be recommended further studies are required.