Introduction: Anastomotic leakage is a serious postoperative complication of open and laparoscopic colorectal surgery, very often associated with higher morbidity and mortality. Despite proper patient selection and surgical technique, anastomotic leakage cannot be avoided. The use of a synthetic, bioabsorbable staple-line reinforcement material for the circular stapler may help reduce its prevalence.
Methods: From May to December of 2006, 14 doctors, from 18 hospitals in the United States, performed 117 laparoscopic and open colorectal procedures, in which circular bioabsorbable Seamguard (CBSG; W.L. Gore and Associates, Elkton, MD) was used.
Results: Eighty-three patients underwent laparoscopic surgery (70.0%) and 34 open surgery (30%). The procedures included low anterior resection in 49 patients (42%), sigmoidectomy in 46 patients (39.5%), left hemicolectomy in 12 patients (10%), and total colectomy in 10 patients (8.5%). Sixty-four patients had benign disease and 36% malignant disease. Intraoperative anastomotic leakage tests identified 4 patients with leakage (3.4%). All 4 patients had a very low anastomosis (1, 3, 4, and 6 cm, respectively, from the anal verge). Two of the leaks resolved without further intervention. A fecal diversion procedure was performed in the other 2 patients, including 1 patient with rectal bleeding, requiring a transfusion. No clinical complications related to use of CBSG were reported.
Conclusions: The use of Seamguard in colorectal open and laparoscopic surgery may result in a lower incidence of anastomotic leakage.