Intestinal anastomosis with the biofragmentable anastomosis ring

BACKGROUND: The fear of anastomotic complications prevents the spread of the use of the biofragmentable anastomosis ring (BAR) in intestinal surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 453 patients underwent intestinal resection and anastomosis with the BAR. RESULTS: In all, 514 anastomoses have been carried out, 424 (83%) in elective settings, and 90 (18%) in emergency. Fifty-one patients had multiple anastomoses. Reoperation was performed in 4 patients (1%) who had a complete anastomotic leakage. In 13 patients (3%), anastomotic leakage was partial, and only 1 patient required reoperation. No postoperative intestinal obstruction occurred, Four patients (1%) developed late anastomotic strictures, which have been treated by endoscopic dilation. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our experience and those of other large clinical series definitely confirm the effectiveness of the BAR method, which seems to be a standard, easy, rapid, and safe technique either in elective or emergency surgery. Am J Surg. 1998;176:472-474. (C) 1998 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.