Low-energy CO2 laser intestinal anastomosis: an experimental study.

Intestinal anastomosis was performed in 17 Wistar rats via tissue welding by the low-energy CO2 laser. The postoperative course in the animals studied was uneventful. The integrity of the anastomosis was investigated manometrically, immediately upon completion of the anastomosis as well as 20 days later. Ten additional Wistar rats served as controls in which conventional interrupted one-layer anastomosis was performed. The results show a significant superiority of the intestinal anastomoses that were constructed by means of laser tissue welding. The time to complete the anastomosis was also significantly shorter when laser rather than manual suturing was used. Serial histological examinations for up to 90 days following surgery revealed complete healing and epithelization of the anastomotic site.