Influence of stapler type on in vitro leakage pressures and location of functional end-to-end stapled anastomoses.

The objective of this study was to compare maximal leakage pressures and locations of 2 functional end-to-end stapled anastomosis (FEESA) constructs. Grossly normal jejunum was harvested from 4 large breed dogs. Thirty-two 8-cm segments of bowel were used to construct 16 FEESA. Construct type was divided into 2 groups: traditional FEESA (tFEESA) and modified FEESA (mFEESA). Leakage pressures and locations were recorded and compared for the 2 groups. There was no difference in the leakage pressures of the tFEESA and the mFEESA. However, 1 tFEESA did leak at subphysiologic intestinal peristaltic pressures. Although no difference in maximal leakage pressure was detected between the 2 constructs, mFEESA is an attractive alternative to tFEESA, as it requires less equipment and none of the mFEESA constructs leaked at subphysiologic pressures.