Biomechanical and Performance Evaluation of Magnetic Elliptical-Ring Compressive Anastomoses

After magnetic compressive anastomosis, anastomat passage through the narrow channels of the digestive tract is difficult owing to the device's large volume. Such passage can lead to mechanical damage to the digestive tract or anastomat's unstable excretion time. This article presents a new magnetic compressive anastomotic approach.

A magnetic elliptical-ring compressive anastomat was designed and evaluated for placement and passage in vitro. Nine young adult dogs underwent laparotomy with intestinal tissue side-to-side anastomosis. Four different groups of magnetic compressive anastomats of two different magnetic force levels (20 N or 30 N) and shapes (round or elliptical) were implanted into each dog simultaneously. Three dogs were euthanized on each of postoperative day 1, day 4, and day 7. Anastomoses were then compared with respect to histology and tensile fracture force.

The magnetic elliptical-ring compressive anastomat was functional but produced less obstruction compared to its round counterpart during passage through the esophagus and intestine. Nine dogs underwent successful surgery and harvesting of 30 total anastomoses. Histology of anastomotic tissue showed that, along the newly formed tunnel connecting the two sides of anastomotic tissues, compressed tissues became thinner and fell off, and initial anastomoses formed on the seventh postoperative day. There were large differences in tensile fracture force among the anastomoses formed by magnets with different magnetic forces of the same structure. However, the magnetic compressive anastomat structure did not affect anastomotic repair during magnetic compression anastomosis.

The magnetic elliptical-ring compressive anastomat is an efficient anastomotic device that can be used easily and with good passage. The device has good biomechanical properties and can be used with endoscopy to reduce operative time.