New anastomotic gun for biofragmentable anastomotic ring in low anterior resection.

Purpose: The biofragmentable anastomotic ring remains difficult to use for low rectal anastomosis. The authors report their experience of clinical application of the biofragmentable ring in low anterior resection with a newly designed instrument.
Methods: In this series, 31 patients underwent sphincter-preserving low anterior resections for rectal tumors from May 1993 to November 1994. With the assistance of a self-developed anastomotic instrument (biofragmentable anastomotic ring gun), biofragmentable ring anastomoses were performed following low anterior resection.
Results: There was no operative mortality. One patient had clinical evidence of anastomotic leakage. In postoperative follow-up, there was no anastomotic stenosis or incontinence.
Conclusion: Therefore, we believe biofragmentable ring rectal anastomosis is a safe and reliable alternative to other anastomotic methods in rectal surgery.