[Absorbable synthetic clips and pulmonary excision. Our clinical experience]

Analysis of the first 50 clinical cases confirmed conclusions of experimental studies in large animals with respect to the use of absorbable synthetic clips formed of lactomer and polydioxanone. The advantages of clips when compared with ligatures include rapidity and simplicity of use and ease of insertion, even in regions difficult to approach surgically with the fingers. The advantages of clips of the absorbable synthetic type over conventional metallic material are: safety and reliability due to their locking system and the conservation of sufficient residual resistance, improved behavior in biologic media, radio-transparency and total inertia in magnetic fields compatible with postoperative radiation and modern medical imaging procedures (CT scan, IRM), and finally progressive resorption predictable by simple hydrolysis and then total disappearance after 6 to 7 months. With staplers of the TA and GIA type these clips make sutures and ligatures during lung resection surgery entirely automatic.