Is staple line reinforcement still needed on contemporary staplers? A benchtop analysis.

BACKGROUND: Staple line reinforcement (SLR) is commonly used in bariatric surgeries to reduce leaks and bleeds. With the evolution of staplers, the need for buttressing with the latest surgical stapling technology is in question. The efficacy of GORE® SEAMGUARD® (G-SLR) to improve staple line strength based on an established measure of burst pressure was evaluated. A benchtop test on synthetic tissue evaluated the pressure required for staple line leak across surgical staplers with and without G-SLR. METHODS: Staple lines on a consistent thickness synthetic bowel were pressurized to the point of failure (burst pressure) among Ethicon®, Intuitive®, and Medtronic® surgical staplers with and without G-SLR. Burst pressure and leak location (through the staple line [TTSL] or through the staple [TTS], on the anvil or cartridge side) were recorded. Visual confirmation of a leak concluded each test. RESULTS: The pooled mean burst pressure for G-SLR was greater (p < 0.05) by 0.494 pounds/square inch compared with no reinforcement with no meaningful differences among staplers. Leak failures were primarily TTS (91.7%) and equally distributed between reinforcement groups with more leak failures on the cartridge side with G-SLR and on the anvil side for non-SLR group. Leaks occurred across the length of staple lines with no discernable pattern. CONCLUSION: Employing a buttressing material strengthens the staple line, as measured by burst pressure, and may reduce the risk for staple line failure. This benchtop study of G-SLR with three commonly used surgical staplers demonstrated a significant increase in burst pressures among the studied stapling devices.

Filters Alter the Performance of Noninvasive Ventilators.

BACKGROUND: Noninvasive ventilation is recommended in hypercapnic respiratory failure secondary to ventilatory failure. Noninvasive ventilation may contribute to aerosol dispersion, which may increase the risk of transmission of COVID 2019. The addition of filters to the ventilator circuit has been recommended to reduce this risk. The aim of this benchtop study was to investigate the impact of adding filters to a ventilator circuit. METHODS: In this benchtop study, a breathing simulator was used with 4 commonly used ventilators. Ventilators were set to approximate the typical settings that are used for patients on long-term noninvasive ventilation. Ventilator performance was then evaluated with 3 circuit configurations in place: circuit A: no filter in situ; circuit B: 1 filter at the simulator end of the circuit; and circuit C: 1 filter at the simulator end of the circuit and a second filter at the ventilator end of the circuit. RESULTS: Ventilator variables were impacted by the addition of filters. Measurements of peak pressure (P < .001), tidal volume (P < .001), and peak flow (P < .001) decreased between circuit A and circuit C in all ventilators that were tested. Ventilator triggering was less sensitive in 3 of the 4 ventilators and the fourth ventilator did not trigger under the same simulator settings. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that ventilator settings established with filters in situ are not applicable if the ventilator is used without the filters. This is an important clinical consideration for patients who are hospitalized and require noninvasive ventilation in the COVID 2019 era.