Lactomer copolymer absorbable staples in gastrointestinal surgery.

Area of Science:

• Surgical Innovation
• Biomaterials Science
• Gastrointestinal Surgery

Background:

• Standard metal staples are widely used in gastrointestinal surgery.
• The development of absorbable surgical materials offers potential advantages in healing and reducing foreign body reactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical feasibility of lactomer copolymer absorbable staples in gastrointestinal surgery.
• To compare the stapling properties, wound healing, and inflammatory response of absorbable staples versus metal staples and polyglactin sutures.

Main Methods:

• Experimental studies were conducted on nine animals.
• Lactomer staples were used in procedures including partial gastric transection, Billroth II gastrojejunostomy, and ileocecal resection.
• Comparison was made with standard metal staples and polyglactin sutures regarding healing and inflammatory response at 2 and 4 weeks post-operation.

Main Results:

• No deaths or complications occurred in the experimental animals.
• Absorbable staples remained intact with minimal absorption observed at 2 and 4 weeks.
• Mucosal and submucosal layers healed completely by 2 weeks; muscular and serosal layers showed incomplete joining but excellent approximation.
• Inflammatory responses around lactomer staples and polyglactin sutures were comparable but higher than around metal staples.

Conclusions:

• Staple techniques utilizing absorbable materials like lactomer copolymer are clinically feasible and safe for gastrointestinal surgery.
• Further research may optimize the absorption profile and tissue integration of absorbable staples.