Obsidian ASG® Autologous Platelet-Rich Fibrin Matrix and Colorectal Anastomotic Healing: A Preliminary Study

Anastomotic leakage (AL) following colorectal resection is a devastating complication affecting morbidity, mortality, and quality of life of patients in the long term. Different tissue sealants and biologic glues were tested showing conflicting results regarding their influence on anastomotic healing and leak prevention. Application of autologous platelet-rich fibrin (Vivostat A/S, Alleroed, Denmark), which acts as a source of angiogenic growth factors and cytokines, showed promising results in an in-vivo porcine model. Herein, we present the first human study of stapled colorectal anastomoses supplemented with an autologous-derived platelet-rich fibrin matrix (Obsidian ASG®, Rivolution GmbH, Rosenheim, Germany and Vivostat A/S, Alleroed, Denmark).

A retrospective analysis of prospectively accumulated data was performed in two colorectal centers (Linz, Vienna) on patients undergoing left-sided colorectal or coloanal stapled anastomosis between October 2018 and December 2019. The Obsidian ASG® Matrix was applied to the rectal stump, and after closure with the circular stapling device, at the circumference of anastomosis in every single case. Anastomoses were supplemented with intra- and extra-anastomotic application (IAA-intra-anastomotic application developed by Rivolution GmbH, Rosenheim, Germany) of Obsidian ASG® Matrix. The primary endpoints were incidence of perioperative complications and anastomotic leak rate.

Two-hundred-sixty-one (138 female) patients underwent left-sided colonic (n=177) or rectal resection (n=84). In 253 (96.9%) cases, a laparoscopic or robotic-assisted approach was used. There were no complications attributable to the intraoperative application of the Obsidian ASG® Matrix. All intraoperative leak tests were negative. Overall, anastomotic leak rate accounted for 2.3% (6/261). AL following colonic and rectal resection was seen in 2.3% (4/177) and 2.4% (2/84), respectively. Complication and leak rate was similar in the two participating centers. Postoperative fever and elevated CRP levels were significantly correlated to AL. There was no significant risk factor for AL on multivariate analysis.

Application of an autologous-derived platelet-rich fibrin matrix (Obsidian ASG®) at anastomotic site following colorectal resection is safe and associated with a low rate of anastomotic leakage.