Experimental study of primary repair of colonic leakage with a degradable stent in a porcine model.

<bold>Background: </bold>Anastomotic leakage is a major complication of colon resection. Fecal diversion is necessary in most patients and restoration of intestinal continuity has to be performed several months later. It carries a long treatment time and a considerable financial cost. We have developed a method of primary repair of colonic leakage with a degradable stent.<bold>Methods: </bold>Thirty pigs were included in this study. Colonic anastomotic leakage model was made successfully by open procedure in 15 pigs and primary repair with a degradable stent was performed 3 days later. Conventional colonic anastomosis was performed in the other 15 pigs without making leakage. Pigs of each group were sacrificed at schedule to evaluate the healing of anastomosis and observe the occurrence of complications.<bold>Results: </bold>No re-leakage occurred after primary repair, and no anastomotic stricture, peritoneal abscess, or colonic necrosis occurred in either group. No significant difference in bursting pressure or hydroxyproline content was found between the two groups.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>Primary repair of colonic leakage with a degradable stent is a feasible method in this porcine model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]