Intestinal mucosa staple line integrity and anastomotic leak pressure after healing in a porcine model

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate both the intestinal mucosa staple line integrity and anastomotic leak pressure after healing in a porcine survival model. Methods We used two suture models using two different size staples (incomplete mucosal closure model: group G [staple height 0.75 mm], complete mucosal closure model: group B [staple height 1.5 mm]) in the porcine ileum. Five staple lines were created in each group made in the ileum for each model, and the staple sites harvested on days 0, 2, and 7. The leak pressure at the staple site was measured at each time point. Results On day 0, the leak pressure for group G (79.5 mmHg) was significantly lower than that for group B (182.3 mmHg) ( p < 0.01). On days 2 and 7, there was no significant difference between groups G and B (171 mmHg and 175.5 mmHg on day 2, 175.5 mmHg and 175.5 mmHg on day 7, p > 0.05). The histological findings in both groups showed similar healing at postoperative days 2 and 7. Conclusion The integrity of the mucosal staple lines was associated with the postoperative leak pressure on day 0. However, there was no association with the leak pressure at two days or more postoperatively in a porcine model.