[Adaptation of the bronchi using rotation anastomosis]

Seventeen dogs were examined for experimental peculiarities of bronchial adaptation techniques and for effects such techniques may have on the formation and regeneration of anastomoses, following upper bilobectomy with sleeve resection of the primary bronchus. The difference in diameters of bronchus stumps to be interconnected was overcome by means of rotational anastomosis in twelve animals. The caudal stump was turned by 60 degrees (width of membranous part of cranial stump), and steps between sutures on the cranial stump were enlarged relative to the caudal stump. Also, the membranous wall of the lower lobar bronchus was pulled over the cartilagenous semicircle of the primary bronchus. The animals were kept under follow-up observation for one year maximum. Bronchological, radiological, and morphological checks were made at different postoperative intervals to obtain information about the condition of the anastomosis. Results have shown that in several cases rotational anastomosis can be recommended as a convenient and rational approach with no negative consequences to bridging gaps between bronchial diameters. The heterogeneous tissues of bronchial walls, following rotational anastomosis, were found to consolidate with each other within a period of time identical with that required by homogeneous tissue. Rotational anastomosis has been applied with good success to four patients.