The clipped intestinal non-perforating anastomosis of small bowel: a new technique

In contrast to adult surgery, the neonatal small intestine confronts the surgeon, depending on the age of the patient, with variable diameters of the intestine. Therefore, anastomoses are usually performed by hand with interrupted sutures. In the presented study, a new technique is demonstrated. An anastomosis in the distal ileum of Sprague Dawley rats was performed with a single clamp applicator (Anastoclip). Small bowel anastomoses were performed in 32 rats. The clipped bowel anastomosis was evaluated concerning stenosis, leakage, and adhesions in comparison to the sutured anastomosis. Tension test and X-ray examination were performed to measure the stability. The rats were sacrificed at day 3 or 14 after laparotomy. The clipped anastomosis is feasible, and faster to perform than the conventional hand-sutured anastomosis (Operation time: control group: 18.5 min versus clipped group 4 min; p > 0.05). Furthermore, there were differences in the mechanical stability, with higher tension forces needed for rupturing the clipped anastomosis. There were fewer stenoses (16.5 mm stenotic diameter in the control group versus 20.6 mm in the clipped group) and fewer adhesions in the group of the clipped anastomosis. Histological examinations were performed and did not show significant differences between the two groups. In the animal model presented, the clipped, intestinal, non-perforating anastomosis (CINPA) shows advantages compared to the common hand-sutured anastomosis.