A novel magnetic compression technique for small intestinal end-to-side anastomosis in rats.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic compression technology is a safe and convenient digestive tract reconstruction technique in large animals. The purpose of this study was to verify the feasibility of using the micromagnetic ring for construction of small intestinal end-to-side anastomosis in rats. METHODS: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley albino rats were randomly divided into two groups: a study group that underwent small intestinal anastomosis with micromagnetic ring and a control group that had hand-sewn anastomosis. The time to construct the anastomosis, survival rate and incidence of complications were compared between the two groups. The anastomotic segments in each group were harvested on day 28 after surgery and investigated. RESULTS: The mean anastomosis construction time was significantly lower in the study group than the control group (6.80 ±â€¯1.97 min vs. 16.13 ±â€¯3.29 min, P < 0.05). The survival rate was significantly higher in the study group (93.3%, 14/15) than the control group (66.7%, 10/15; P < 0.05). The incidence of anastomotic leakage [0% (0/15) vs. 6.67% (1/15), P = 1.000] and obstruction [20% (3/15) vs. 13.33% (2/15), P = 0.330] was similar in the study group and control group. The mean burst pressure did not differ significantly between the magnetic compression and hand-sewn anastomosis. In the study group, alignment of the tissue layers was improved and the inflammatory reaction was milder. CONCLUSION: Use of a micromagnetic ring for small intestinal end-to-side anastomosis in rats is safe and feasible.