Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS:
Many studies have reported the safety and effectiveness of biofragmentable anastomotic rings (BARs). However, these devices are not widely used, especially in Japan. Therefore, we considered the clinical benefits of BARs and the reasons for their unpopularity.
METHODOLOGY:
We retrospectively examined 61 patients who underwent sigmoidectomy (34 patients) or high anterior resection (HAR) (27 patients). The patients were divided into 4 groups: sigmoidectomy and anastomosis with a BAR (SB group), sigmoidectomy and anastomosis with an end-to-end (EEA) stapler (SE group), HAR and anastomosis with a BAR (HARB group), and HAR and anastomosis with an EEA stapler (HARE group).
RESULTS:
The time required for anastomosis was significantly lower in the HARE group than in the HARB group. The incidence of anastomotic stricture formation was significantly lower in the HARB group, however the duration of hospitalization after surgery was significantly longer in the HARB group rather than in the HARE group.
CONCLUSIONS:
BARs are unpopular because of the long interval between surgery and the passage of the device in the feces, and because compared to BARs, staplers are easy to manipulate in the narrow pelvic space.