Can 18-years of data from a tertiary referral center help to identify risk factors in esophageal atresia?

BACKGROUND: Esophageal atresia is a complex esophageal malformation with an incidence of 1 in 3,500-4,000 live births, and it usually occurs together with anomalies in other systems or chromosomes. This study aimed to investigate the short-term and long-term results of cases of esophageal atresia retrospectively in our institution and to analyze the factors affecting the outcome. METHODS: Charts of the patients managed for esophageal atresia in our tertiary pediatric surgery department were investigated retrospectively. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the risk factors for morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: One hundred and thirteen (95.8%) of 118 cases underwent a single-stage or staged esophagoesophagostomy procedure. In only five of the 40 patients with a long gap between the two atretic ends was an esophageal replacement procedure required. The most common early and late complications were anastomotic stenosis (41.6%) and gastroesophageal reflux (44.9%). In logistic regression analysis, the birthweight (OR [95% CI] = 0.998 [0.997, 0.999], P = 0.001) and preoperative inotrope requirement (OR [95% CI] = 13.8 [3.6-53.3], P < 0.001) were the two risk factors in the mortality prediction model obtained by multivariate analysis. The gap length between the two atretic ends (OR [95% CI] = 1.436 [1.010, 2.041], P = 0.044) and the number of sutures for anastomosis (OR [95% CI] = 1.313 [1.042, 1.656], P = 0.021) were the two risk factors in the gastroesophageal reflux prediction model obtained by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our study's early and late complication rates were like those found in other studies. Identifying risk factors would be beneficial and might help reduce the severity of potential complications in esophageal atresia patients. Prospective studies on large patient series would help develop registry-based, standardized management protocols.

The effect of COVID-19 pandemic period on acute appendicitis and its complications.

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis is the most common abdominal surgical emergency. This new type of coronavirus, also called SARS-CoV-2, causes severe acute respiratory syndrome, and this has turned into a pandemic. We aimed to determine the risk factors associated with appendectomy and complicated appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic period and to evaluate the effects on the surgical treatment of acute appendicitis and its outcomes. In the current comparative study, we analyzed its effects on appendectomy management and complicated appendicitis in patients with appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic and past year covering the same period. METHODS: The patients in this study consisted of adult patients with acute appendicitis who applied to the Emergency Surgery Department of Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kirdar City Hospital General Surgery Clinic between March 1, and August 31, 2020 (COVID-19 pe-riod) (Group B) and the same period of 2019 (Group A). A comparative and retrospective study was planned. A total of 658 patients who presented with acute appendicitis were included in the study. Group A and Group B consist of 347 and 311 people, respectively. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in the demographic and clinical characteristics of the study population. There was no significant difference between Group A and B in terms of the duration of the application of patient complaints, the duration of the procedure, the time the patient was admitted to the hospital, the time of the patient being taken to the surgery, the findings during the operation, and the post-operative complications. There were similar features in general appendectomy pathologies, but in our study, a significant decrease in catarrhal appendicitis was observed in Group B, namely, during the COVID-19 pandemic period (p=0.04). CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was no significant increase in complicated appendicitis, but a significant reduction in negative appendectomies. This result shows that during the pandemic period, patients do not come to the emergency surgery unit unnecessarily and receive timely and appropriate surgical care.

Splenogonadal Fusion in Children: A Rare Entity Mimicking Inguinal Tumor.

Splenogonadal fusion (SGF) is a rare congenital malformation, which can be of a continuous or discontinuous type. It is characterized by splenic tissue fused with gonadal tissue. Because it lacks characteristic features, very few cases of SGF have been diagnosed preoperatively. Herein, we present a case with left side SGF who was diagnosed by Tc-nanocolloid spleen scintigraphy.

Gender Identity and Assignment Recommendations in Disorders of Sex Development Patients: 20 Years' Experience and Challenges

Objective: Gender assignment in infants and children with disorders of sex development (DSD) is a stressful situation for both patient/families and medical professionals. Methods: The purpose of this study was to investigate the results of gender assignment recommendations in children with DSD in our clinic from 1999 through 2019. Results: The mean age of the 226 patients with DSD at the time of first admission were 3.05±4.70 years. 50.9% of patients were 46,XY DSD, 42.9% were 46,XX DSD and 6.2% were sex chromosome DSD. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (majority of patients had 21-hydroxylase deficiency) was the most common etiological cause of 46,XX DSD. In 46,XX patients, 87 of 99 (89.7%) were recommended to be supported as a female, 6 as a male, and 4 were followed up. In 46,XY patients, 40 of 115 (34.8%) were recommended to be supported as a female, and 70 as male (60.9%), and 5 were followed up. In sex chromosome DSD patients, 3 of 14 were recommended to be supported as a female, 9 as a male. The greatest difficulty in making gender assignment recommendations were in the 46,XY DSD group. Conclusion: In DSD gender assignment recommendations, the etiologic diagnosis, psychiatric gender orientation, expectation of the family, phallus length and Prader stage were effective in the gender assignment in DSD cases, especially the first two criteria. It is important to share these experiences among the medical professionals who are routinely charged with this difficult task in multidisciplinary councils.

Risk factors associated with anastomotic leakage in patients operated due to colorectal tumours.

Aim To evaluate risk factors that may cause anastomotic leakage (AL) in patients who underwent resection and anastomosis due to colorectal cancer. Methods Patients who underwent resection and anastomosis due to colorectal cancer between January 2014 and July 2018 in our clinic were included into the study. The patients were divided into two groups as ones with AL being Group 1, ones without AL being Group 2. Parameters related to the clinical characteristics, surgical and pathologic results in both groups were evaluated with univariate and multivariate analyses. Results A total of 302 patients were included in the study. The AL was observed in 24 (7.9%) patients. Mortality was observed in five (20.8%) and six (2.2%) patients in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively (p=0.001). Significant risk factors for AL in the univariate analysis were coronary artery disease (CAD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, high American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, emergency surgical intervention, absence of preoperative intestine preparation, performed perioperative blood transfusion, tumour T stage, and neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy application. Only CAD and neoadjuvant CRT were determined as the independent risk factors for AL in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion The AL developing after colorectal surgery continues to be an important problem thereby increasing mortality and morbidity along with its negative effect on hospitalization time and functional and oncologic results. Despite several studies on the topic, it is still very difficult to estimate the AL possibility in advance. Therefore, avoiding anastomosis in high risk patients may perhaps be the best option.

Clues to the diagnosis of biliary atresia in neonatal cholestasis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The purpose of this study was to identify important clues in differentiating biliary atresia (BA) from causes of neonatal cholestasis other than BA (non-BA) and establishing the reliability of current tests. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-four patients with BA and 27 patients with non-BA cholestasis being monitored at the Çukurova University Medical Faculty, the Pediatric Gastroenterology Department and the Pediatric Surgery Department between 2009 and 2015 were retrospectively assessed. RESULTS: Cases of early onset jaundice, acholic stool, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) elevation, and absent or small gallbladder on ultrasonography (USG) were greater in the BA group, while the levels of consanguinity and splenomegaly were higher in the non-BA group. The highest positive predictive value and specificity was determined for a GGT level greater than 197 in addition to absent or small gallbladder on USG and acholic stool in the BA group. Moreover, the presence of acholic stool (97%) exhibited the highest sensitivity and accuracy in the diagnosis of BA. CONCLUSION: Pale stool, GGT elevation, and absent or small gallbladder on USG are the most reliable tests for diagnosing BA. We recommend that intraoperative cholangiography should be performed without waiting for further test results when a neonate or infant presents with acholic stool, high GGT values, and absent or small gallbladder on abdominal USG.

Laparoscopic Management of Synchronous Bilateral Ovarian Torsion in a Neonate.

Synchronous bilateral ovarian torsion is an uncommon entity of which both ovaries twist at the same time or observed twisted during the surgical intervention. Herein, we present a neonate with bilateral ovarian torsion, which successfully managed by laparoscopic approach.

Laparoscopy-Assisted Percutaneous Cholangiography in Biliary Atresia Diagnosis: Comparison with Open Technique.

Introduction. Biliary atresia is a surgical cause of prolonged jaundice, which needs to be diagnosed with cholangiography that has traditionally been performed via laparotomy. Laparoscopic assistance has lately been introduced to avoid unnecessary laparotomy. We aim to evaluate the benefits of the laparoscopy-assisted cholangiography and compare it to the traditional procedure via laparotomy. Patients and Method. The medical records of the cases who had undergone cholangiography for prolonged jaundice between 2007 and 2014 were analyzed. The patients were grouped according to cholangiography technique (laparotomy/laparoscopy). The laparoscopy and laparotomy groups with patent bile ducts were focused and compared in terms of operation duration, postoperative initiation time of enteral feeding, and full enteral feeding achievement time. Results. Sixty-one infants with prolonged jaundice were evaluated between 2007 and 2014. Among the patients with patent bile ducts, operation duration, postoperative enteral feeding initiation time, and the time to achieve full enteral feeding were shorter in laparoscopy group. Conclusion. Laparoscopic cholangiography is safe and less time-consuming compared to laparotomy, with less postoperative burden. As early age of operation is a very important prognostic factor, laparoscopic evaluation should be an early option in work-up of the infants with prolonged jaundice with direct hyperbilirubinemia, for diagnosis/exclusion of biliary atresia.

Factors Affecting the Prevalence of Gastro-oesophageal Reflux in Childhood Corrosive Oesophageal Strictures.

BACKGROUND: Gastro-oesophageal reflux may accompany the corrosive oesophageal damage caused by the ingestion of corrosive substances and affect its treatment. The factors that affect the development of reflux in these cases and their effects on treatment still remain unclear. AIMS: Our aim is to investigate the prevalence of gastro-oesophageal reflux in children with corrosive oesophageal strictures, the risk factors affecting this prevalence and the effects of gastro-oesophageal reflux on treatment. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study. METHODS: We enrolled 52 patients with oesophageal stricture due to corrosive substance ingestion who were referred to our clinic between 2003 and 2010. Groups, which were determined according to the presence of gastro-oesophageal reflux (GER), were compared with each other in terms of clinical findings, results of examination methods, characteristics of the stricture and success of the treatment. RESULTS: The total number of patients in our study was 52; 30 of them were male and 22 of them were female. The mean age of our study population was 4.2±2.88 years. Thirty-three patients had gastrooesophageal reflux (63.5%). Patients who had strictures caused by the ingestion of alkali substances were 1.6-times more likely to have reflux. There were no differences between patients with or without reflux in terms of number and localisation of strictures. Mean distance of stricture was longer in patients with reflux (3.7±1.8 cm) than in patients without (2.2±1.0 cm) (p<0.005). Only one patient among 17 who had a long stricture (≥4 cm) did not suffer from reflux. Patients with long stricture were 1.9-times more likely to have reflux. Dilatation treatment was successful in 69.6% of patients with reflux and in 78.9% of patients without. The mean treatment period was 8.41±6.1 months in patients with reflux and 8.21±8.4 months in the other group. There was no significant difference between groups in terms of frequency of dilatation and dilator diameters (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Corrosive oesophageal stricture was usually accompanied by gastro-oesophageal reflux and the length of stricture is an important risk factor. Negative effects of reflux over dilatation treatment have not yet been demonstrated in the short-term. Nevertheless, this frequent rate of reflux may eventually increase the risk of oesophagitis and Barrett's oesophagus; therefore, we suggest that these effects should be prospectively evaluated in a large number of patients and these patients should be followed-up routinely in terms of the long-term effects of reflux.

Renal sparing surgery using focus ultracision harmonic scalpel in patients with bilateral wilms' tumor: case report.

BACKGROUND: Bilateral Wilms' tumor is rare and surgical treatment requires an individual approach. Surgical approach to the tumors located in the central part of the kidney represents a major challenge and nephrectomy is usually essential. Renal sparing surgery is difficult in such cases. CASE REPORT: We describe a 3 year-old female patient with bilateral Wilms' tumor arising in the central localisation of the right and foci in the left kidney enucleated successfully with a simple and comfortable renal preserving operative technique using Focus Ultracision Harmonic Scalpel. CONCLUSION: In cases when tumors are located in the central part of the kidney and partial nephrectomy is consequently very difficult, the use of a Focus Ultracision Harmonic Scalpel provides easy dissecting, enucleation, and excision of the tumor.

Severe abdominal trauma involving bicycle handlebars in children.

OBJECTIVES: To emphasize the severity of the underlying injury which may not be realized during the initial patient admission to the emergency department. METHODS: A retrospective case note review of children admitted to our institution with the severe abdominal injury. RESULTS: Eight children were identified with the severe abdominal injury secondary to the trauma from a bicycle handlebar that needed special care in the intensive care unit. All injuries were due to blunt trauma. The mean delay from the time of the accident to the time of presentation was 34.5 hours. All patients had an imprint of the handlebar edge on the hypochondrium. There were 3 pancreatic lacerations, 1 duodenal laceration, 1 jejunal laceration, 1 liver laceration, 1 abdominoinguinal laceration that all required open surgery, and 1 duodenal hematoma that resolved in 4 weeks follow-up period. The patients who required open surgery were evaluated with computed tomographic scans before surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Children with an imprint made by the handlebar edge on the abdominal wall or give a clear history of injuries by a bicycle handlebar should be treated with great care. Early computed tomography evaluation may help to reduce the morbidity resulting from the delay in diagnosis of injuries to the internal organs.

Esophageal motility and 24-h pH profiles of patients with heterotopic gastric mucosa in the cervical esophagus.

BACKGROUND: Heterotopic gastric mucosa occurs as a flat island of red mucosa in the proximal third of the esophagus where it gives rise to the cervical inlet patch. The aims of this study were to investigate the esophageal motility pattern and 24-h pH profiles of patients with cervical inlet patch. METHODS: Thirty patients (16 women, mean age: 44.9 years, range: 23-72) diagnosed as having heterotopic gastric mucosa in the cervical esophagus with upper gastrointestinal symptoms had undergone esophageal motility testing and 24-h pH monitorisation with a double-channel pH probe. RESULTS: Manometric investigation was abnormal in 7 patients (non-specific esophageal motor disorder in 4 patients, esophageal hypomotility in 1 patient, and hypotensive LES in 2 patients). Pathological acid reflux (pH<4) was found in 9 (30%) of 30 heterotopic gastric mucosa patients during pH monitorisation from the distal probe. Pathological acid reflux in the proximal esophagus (percentage of total time of pH<4) was seen in four of these nine patients. Only four of the 30 patients (13.3%) presented with "acid independent episodes" during the 24-h esophageal pH monitorisation. CONCLUSION: Manometric investigation and 24-h pH monitorisation revealed that some of the patients with HGM have signs of esophageal motor dysfunction and "acid independent episodes" from the patches. These abnormalities may be responsible for some of the symptoms of HGM patients.

Esophageal motor function in Familial Mediterranean Fever: a prospective evaluation of motility in 31 patients.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to evaluate esophageal motor function in patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) who had upper gastrointestinal symptoms and to compare esophageal motor function between FMF patients who developed amyloidosis and patients without amyloidosis. METHODS: 31 FMF patients with dyspeptic symptoms and 31 healthy age-matched individuals were included in the study. Endoscopic examination and esophageal motility testing were performed. RESULTS: Esophageal motor abnormalities were detected in 25.8% (8/31) of these patients [incomplete Lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation: n=4, esophageal hypomotility: n=2, and hypotensive LES: n=2]. Median LES relaxation (%) (min-max) was significantly lower in patients with FMF compared to control group 94% (54-100) vs. 98% (80-100), p=0.019 respectively). However, mean LES pressure (mmHg) (19.5+/-8.9 vs. 19.7+/-5.6, p=0.813), duration of LES relaxation (s) (7.9+/-1.7 vs. 8.7+/-1.7, p=0.068), contraction amplitude of esophageal body (mmHg) (60.4+/-23.3 vs. 58.2+/-19.7, p=0.691) and median (min-max) peak velocity (s) [3.1(-1.43-50.3) vs. 3.1 (0.9-8.7), p=0.435] were similar in patients with FMF compared to control group. There were no significant differences with regard to LES pressure, LES relaxation, LES relaxation duration, contraction amplitude (mmHg) and peak velocity (sc) among patients with FMF and amyloidosis, amyloidosis negative FMF patients and healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal esophageal manometric findings can be observed at least in a subgroup of patients with FMF regardless of amyloid status. Investigation of esophageal motor function in patients with FMF who exhibit unexplained upper gastrointestinal symptoms between attacks may be a helpful tool in order to delineate esophageal motor dysfunction.

The effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on dyspeptic symptoms, acid reflux and quality of life in patients with functional dyspepsia.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to investigate the effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on gastroesophageal reflux, gastrointestinal symptoms and quality of life in patients with functional dyspepsia. METHODS: 20 H. pylori positive patients diagnosed as having functional dyspepsia according to Roma-II criteria completed the study period. Esophageal motility testing and pH recordings were obtained from each patient before and at the end of the study period. Each patient's gastrointestinal symptoms were evaluated according to Glasgow dyspepsia score. 36-Item short-form health survey (SF-36) and EDQ5 health survey were obtained form each patient. RESULTS: H. pylori eradication was accomplished in 13 patients (65%). Glasgow dyspepsia symptom score improved in H. pylori eradicated patients (10.3 vs 7.5, p<0.05) compared to baseline. Fasting lower esophageal sphincter pressures increased (21.6 vs 25.4 mmHg, p<0.05) after H. pylori eradication Neither the amplitude of peristaltic contractions in the esophageal body (59.4 vs 57.7 mmHg, p=ns) nor the velocity of peristaltic contractions changed before and after eradication. The percent time of esophageal pH<4 (0.7 vs 2.6, p<0.001), reflux events longer than 5 min (0 vs 0.7, p<0.005) and total reflux number (10.3 vs 19.3, p<0.005) significantly increased after eradication therapy. In the SF-36 health-related quality of life survey, general health score was 3.5 vs. 3.4, physical activity 25.2 vs. 26.4, physical role 5.9 vs. 6.3, emotional pain 4.6 vs. 4.5, social activity 2.0 vs. 1.9, physical pain 3.4 vs. 3.0, vitality 32.3 vs. 34.6, and mental health 11.9 vs. 11.5, before and at the end of treatment (p=ns), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori eradication did not influence quality of life in patients with functional dyspepsia. Majority of the patients experienced a significant change in esophageal acid exposure after H. pylori eradication. H. pylori eradication significantly decreases gastrointestinal symptoms, however has no effect on quality of life in patients with functional dyspepsia.

Fetal urinary ascites in a neonate without detectable obstructive uropathy or neurogenic bladder etiology.

Fetal urinary ascites is usually secondary to an obstructive uropathy or neurogenic bladder. We present such a case in the absence of these conditions, but the presence of ipsilateral vesicoureteral reflux with Hutch diverticula. The patient was a 5-day-old boy presenting with distension of the abdomen and impairment of renal function. Tests revealed urinary ascites and renal insufficiency which spontaneously resolved after transurethral urinary drainage was established. This rare complication should be considered in neonates with high intrapelviureteric and intrarenal pressure as a result of high-grade vesicoureteral reflux with paraureteral diverticula.

Endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux in children: our experience and analysis of factors affecting success rate.

AIM: To clarify the factors affecting the success rate of endoscopic subureteral injection (ESI) treatment of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). METHOD: All patients who had ESI treatment for VUR at our unit between 1999 and 2002 were retrospectively reviewed with regard to age, gender, causes of VUR, reflux grade, type of injected materials, number of injections, results of cystourethrograms (VCUG), and outcome. The injected implants were gluteraldehyde cross-linked bovine collagen (GclBC), dextranomers in sodium hyaluronan (DiSH) and calcium hydroxylapatite (CH). A successful result was defined as absence of VUR confirmed by VCUG performed 3 months after the ESI procedure. Basic descriptive statistics were performed along with the chi(2) test (p < 0.05 was significant). RESULTS: 50 children (81 ureters) consisting of 27 girls (43 ureters) and 23 boys (38 ureters) with a mean age of 7.4 +/- 4.6 years constituted the study group. Grade III VUR was the most prominent grade (42%, 34 ureters) noted in all age groups. There was no significant difference between boys and girls with regard to the number of each grade of VUR. The success rate of first ESI procedure was 55.6% and was similar in each grade of VUR varying from 50 to 66%. Repeated injections have resulted in an overall success rate of 84%. No significant difference was noted between the age groups with regard to the success rate of ESI. Repeated ESI procedures were found to be unsuccessful in grade V VUR when compared to other grades (p < 0.05).There was a significant difference between primary reflux (76.5%, 62 ureters) and exstrophic (21%, 17 ureters) patients with regard to the grade of VUR and success rate of ESI. Exstrophic patients presented with a higher incidence of grade V VUR (41%) and with a lower success rate of ESI (64.7%). DiSH was the most commonly used agent (47 ureters) followed by CH (22 ureters) and GclBC (12 ureters). The success rates of the ESI procedure by each material were 91.5, 81.8, and 58.3%, respectively. No significant difference was noted between DiSH and CH. Low success rates by GclBCwere attributed to less usage of the material. 82% of the ESI procedures were done by surgeon A (49 ureters) and B (18 ureters) with a success rate of 96 and 72%, respectively. No significant difference was noted between A and B with regard to the success rate and type of injected material and the success rate in each grade of VUR (p > 0.05). No untoward effects were noted in short- and long-term follow-up (mean 4 +/- 1.2 years) of any patient. CONCLUSION: The ESI procedure provides a high success rate for the treatment of VUR which decreases in grade V VUR and presence of exstrophia vesica. Single injection of various materials has been found to be successful in most of the patients with grade II VUR, whereas grade IV and III patients have required repeated injections which have resulted in 100 and 94% success rates, respectively. Grade I VUR can be managed by close follow-up and appropriate antibiotic therapy without any surgical and/or endoscopic intervention. Patients presenting with grade V VUR should undergo open surgery if the first trial of ESI procedure results in failure as repeated injections have proved to be unsuccessful in this grade. The success rate of the ESI procedure does not seem to be affected by the type of injected material and different surgeons performing the procedure after achieving the learning curve.

Evaluation of the results of eccentric circummeatal-based flap with combined limited urethral mobilization technique for distal hypospadias repair.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of patients with distal hypospadias who are operated using the eccentric circummeatal-based flap (ECBF) with combined limited urethral mobilization (LUM) technique. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients who underwent distal hypospadias repair at our institution between January 2000 and December 2005. Seventy-one patients with distal hypospadias were operated. Eighteen cases were operated with glanular approximation and 11 cases using the Snodgrass procedure. Forty-two cases of distal hypospadias without a thin distal urethra were operated using an eccentric circummeatal-based flap with combined limited urethral mobilization. We reviewed these 42 patients according to age at surgery, position of meatus, presence of ventral curvature or glanular tilt, previous operations, duration of catheterization and hospitalization, and early and late postoperative complications. RESULTS: The mean age at operation was 5.9+/-3.1 years. The position of the meatus was coronal in 29 patients (69%), glanular in seven (16.7%) and subcoronal in six (14.3%). Two patients had ventral curvature. Five patients had undergone previous unsuccessful hypospadias repair and five had undergone circumcision. The average length of catheterization was 4.64+/-1.07 days. All patients were discharged after stent removal. At follow up of 1-31 months (median 6 months, 22 patients over 6 months), three patients had a slightly glanular urethral meatus and six patients had a decrease in calibration during urination which responded to meatal dilatation. No fistula had occurred. All patients achieved a normally situated vertical slit-like glanular meatus. CONCLUSION: This technique is simple with satisfying cosmetic results, and can also be applied to patients who have undergone previous failed operations. The absence of fistula formation and short duration of hospital stay are additional advantages.

Polypropylene mesh covered colonic anastomosis. Results of a new anastomosis technique.

BACKGROUND: The morbidity and mortality rates of anastomosis leakage of the gastrointestinal system, are high. In this study we covered the colonic anastomosis with polypropylene mesh on the safety of the anastomosis was investigated. METHODS: Twenty female albino rabbits were divided into two groups. First of all, a segmental colon resection was performed in both the groups and a single layer of anastomosis was made. In addition, a polypropylene mesh as long as the circumference of the anastomosis in the study group. All the rabbits were sacrificed on the 10th postoperative day and the explosion pressure of the anastomosis, histopathological investigation of the anastomotic contour, and peritoneal adhesion were compared. RESULTS: The anastomoses of all the subjects in the control group had exploded and the average explosion pressure was 149 +/- 16 mmHg. However, in the study group, the anastomoses did not explode in nine (90%) of the subjects, whereas it exploded in only one (10%) with a pressure of 260 mmHg. The average explosion pressure in the study group was 315 +/- 30 mmHg (p < 0.0001). No significant difference was established between the groups according to the histopathological classification of the anastomotic contour performed according to the Ehrlich-Hunt model (p > 0.05). Peritoneal adhesions of the groups is not statistically different (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: During the short follow-up period, this new technique significantly increased the safety of the anastomosis, moreover it did not cause any increase in peritoneal adhesions. This success has most probably occurred as a result of the external mechanical support to the anastomosis.