Biomedical material for sutureless esophagogastrostomy. Analysis of 31 cases

The results of 31 cases of sutureless esophagogastrostomy by intraluminal elastic circular ligation (IECL) with the biodegradable supporting tube were reported. The fate of the supporting tube could be tracked satisfactorily by X-ray. The tube-dislodge time was 15.03 +/- 2.23 days and unaffected by the size of supporting tube or the site of anastomosis. The supporting tube could be safely absorbed or partially discharged through the alimentary tract. IECL, with the merits of saving time, anastomosing tightly and leaving no suture materials in the anastomotic site, can be expected to further reduce the incidence of anastomotic leakage and provide references for other gastrointestinal anastomosis.