Ex vivo evaluation of a technique for equine jejunocecal anastomosis using radiofrequency thermofusion and a Cushing oversew.
Abstract: To describe a technique for a side-to-side jejunocecal anastomosis in horses using radiofrequency thermofusion (TF) of the intestines supported by a Cushing oversew and to compare this anastomosis to handsewn and stapled techniques. Methods: Ex vivo study. Methods: Intestinal tracts from 24 slaughtered horses. Methods: A radiofrequency device was used to perform a jejunocecal anastomosis (Group RFA). The construction time and bursting pressure of this construct were compared with those of a hand-sewn double layer (Group HS) and stapled anastomoses (Group ST) without oversew of the staple line. Histology was also performed for the TF anastomoses to evaluate the extent of the thermal damage. Results: The median (range) construction time (min) for the TF (15.8 [14.4-16.8]) was not significantly different from that for the HS (25.5 [24.2-26.3]) and ST (10.8 [9.7-12.5]) groups (p = .07). The construction time for ST was shorter than that for HS group (p < .001). The average (standard deviation) bursting pressure (mmHg) for HS (153.1 +/- 17.5) was higher than that for RFA (76 +/- 15) and ST groups (48 +/- 13; p < .001). The bursting pressure of the RFA was higher than that of the ST anastomoses (p = .001). The thermal damage caused by the device was within the suture oversew in the deeper layers, whereas it extended a few mm beyond the suture line in the serosa. Conclusions: Radiofrequency assisted anastomoses provide similar construction times to current techniques and have a higher bursting pressure than ST anastomoses. Conclusions: Radiofrequency-assisted anastomoses with a suture oversew demonstrated comparable bursting pressures to ST anastomoses. The use of the radiofrequency device on the intestine is extra label and causes serosal tissue damage, which may increase the risk of adhesions.
© 2023 American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Publication Date: 2023-03-15 PubMed ID: 36922367DOI: 10.1111/vsu.13946Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This study tested a technique for conducting intestinal surgeries in horses using radiofrequency thermofusion (TF) and oversewing with sutures. Compared to traditional hand-sewn or stapling methods, this technique provided comparable construction times and stronger pressure resistance but caused some tissue damage, increasing risk of adhesions.
Study Objective and Methodology
- The researchers aimed to describe and test a surgical method for horse intestines: a side-to-side jejunocecal anastomosis using radiofrequency thermofusion and a Cushing oversew.
- They also wanted to contrast this method with traditional techniques, such as hand-sewn or stapled anastomoses.
- The ex vivo study examined 24 rafts of horse intestines that were obtained from slaughtered horses.
Procedure and Comparison
- In one of the groups, the anastomosis was performed using a radiofrequency device (Group RFA). This group’s construction time and bursting pressure were then compared to those of a hand-sewn layer (Group HS) and anastomoses created with staples (Group ST).
- To check the extent of possible thermal damage, histological analyses were also carried out on the thermofused anastomoses.
Allotted Time and Bursting Pressure
- The average time it took to construct thermofused (TF) anastomoses was not significantly different from other traditional methods (HS and ST).
- However, a noteworthy difference was that the stapled (ST) anastomosis took less time to construct than the handsewn (HS) method.
- The radiofrequency assisted (RFA) anastomoses had a higher bursting pressure than the stapled (ST) group, meaning it was stronger and could withstand more external pressure before rupturing.
- However, the handsewn (HS) method had the highest bursting pressure — even higher than the radiofrequency thermofusion (TF) method.
Serosal Damage and Concluding Thoughts
- The radiofrequency device caused thermal damage that remained within the suture oversew in the deeper layers. However, it extended a few millimeters beyond the suture line in the serosa or the outermost layer of the intestine. This might increase the risk of adhesions or scar-like tissue that can cause organs to stick together.
- The study hence implies that the thermofusion-based method, backed by oversewing, offers construction times comparable to currently employed techniques and has a higher bursting pressure than methods using staples.
- However, caution is needed due to its potential to cause serosal tissue damage, which poses an elevated risk of adhesive complications post-operation.
Cite This Article
APA
Gandini M, Cerullo A, Gallo L, Iussich S, Minoli L, Giusto G.
(2023).
Ex vivo evaluation of a technique for equine jejunocecal anastomosis using radiofrequency thermofusion and a Cushing oversew.
Vet Surg, 52(4), 545-553.
https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.13946 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses / surgery
- Intestine, Small
- Anastomosis, Surgical / veterinary
- Anastomosis, Surgical / methods
- Suture Techniques / veterinary
- Surgical Stapling / veterinary
- Intestines
References
This article includes 32 references
- Freeman DE. Chapter 35: jejunum and ileum. In: Auer J, Stick J, eds. Equine surgery. 5th ed. Elsevier; 2019:536-575.
- Proudman CJ, Smith JE, Edwards GB, French NP. Long-term survival of equine surgical colic cases. Part 2: modelling postoperative survival. Equine Vet J 2002;34(5):438-443.
- Mair TS, Smith LJ. Survival and complication rates in 300 horses undergoing surgical treatment of colic. Part 2: short-term complications. Equine Vet J 2005;37(4):303-309.
- Stewart S, Southwood LL, Aceto HW. Comparison of short- and long-term complications and survival following jejunojejunostomy, jejunoileostomy and jejunocaecostomy in 112 horses: 2005-2010. Equine Vet J 2014;46:333-338.
- Dean PW, Robertson JT. Comparison of three suture techniques for anastomosis of the small intestine in the horse. Am J Vet Res 1985;46(6):1282-1286.
- Freeman DE, Schaeffer DJ. Comparison of complications and long-term survival rates following hand-sewn versus stapled side-to-side jejunocecostomy in horses with colic. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2010;237(9):1060-1067.
- Proudman CJ, Edwards GB, Barnes J. Differential survival in horses requiring end-to-end jejunojejunal anastomosis compared to those requiring side-to-side jejunocaecal anastomosis. Equine Vet J 2007;39(2):181-185.
- Arya S, Mackenzie H, Hanna GB. Non-vascular experimental and clinical applications of advanced bipolar radiofrequency thermofusion technology in the thorax and abdomen: a systematic review. Surg Endosc 2015;29(7):1659-1678.
- Heniford BT, Matthews BD, Sing RF, Backus C, Pratt B, Greene FL. Initial results with an electrothermal bipolar vessel sealer. Surg Endosc 2001;15(8):799-801.
- Gehrig T, Billeter AT, Wekerle AL, Shevchenko M, Brand K, Müller-Stich BP. Evaluation of the LigaSure(™) vessel sealing system for bowel transection and intestinal anastomoses-an experimental study in a porcine model. Langenbecks Arch Surg 2016;401(3):381-387.
- Winter H, Holmer C, Buhr HJ. Pilot study of bipolar radiofrequency-induced anastomotic thermofusion-exploration of therapy parameters ex vivo. Int J Colorectal Dis 2010;25(1):129-133.
- Holmer C, Winter H, Kröger M. Bipolar radiofrequency-induced thermofusion of intestinal anastomosis--feasibility of a new anastomosis technique in porcine and rat colon. Langenbecks Arch Surg 2011;396(4):529-533.
- Santini M, Fiorelli A, Messina G, Laperuta P, Mazzella A, Accardo M. Use of the LigaSure device and the stapler for closure of the small bowel: a comparative ex vivo study. Surg Today 2013;43(7):787-793.
- Santini M, Fiorelli A, Messina G, Mazzella A, Accardo M. The feasibility of LigaSure to create intestinal anastomosis: results of ex vivo study. Surg Innov 2015;22(3):266-273.
- Lacitignola L, Imperante A, Trisciuzzi R, Zizzo N, Crovace AM, Staffieri F. Swine small intestine sealing performed by different vessel sealing devices: ex-vivo test. Vet Sci 2021;8(2):34.
- Smulders JF, de Hingh IH, Stavast J, Jackimowicz JJ. Exploring new technologies to facilitate laparoscopic surgery: creating intestinal anastomoses without sutures or staples, using a radio-frequency-energy-driven bipolar fusion device. Surg Endosc 2007;21(11):2105-2109.
- Pan H, Leung KKC, Ng EKW. Tissue fusion technology versus suture and staple in porcine bowel anastomoses: an in vivo study. Braz J Med Biol Res 2020;53(5):e9305.
- Chu KL, Duffy DJ, Vieson MD, Moore GE. Ex vivo comparison of leakage pressures and leakage location with a novel technique for creation of functional side-to-side canine small intestinal anastomoses. Vet Surg 2020;49(5):1024-1034.
- Arya S, Hadjievangelou N, Lei S. Radiofrequency-induced small bowel thermofusion: an ex vivo study of intestinal seal adequacy using mechanical and imaging modalities. Surg Endosc 2013;27(9):3485-3496.
- Gandini M. Handsewn semiclosed single-layer jejunocecal side-to-side anastomosis in the horse. Vet Surg 2010;39(6):771-775.
- Aesculap Caiman Vessel sealer Brochure. https://www.aesculapusa.com/content/dam/aesculap-us/us/website/aesculap-inc/healthcareprofessionals/or-soultions/pdfs/DOC1098-Rev-D-Caiman-Vessel-Sealers-Brochure.pdf Accessed June 16, 2022.
- Gandini M, Giusto G, Iotti B, Valazza A, Sammartano F. In vitro description of a new technique for stapled side-to-side jejunocecal anastomosis in horses and CT scan anatomical comparison with other techniques. BMC Vet Res 2014;10(Suppl 1):S9.
- Gandini M, Giusto G. Combination of end-to-end jejuno-ileal anastomosis and side-to-side incomplete ileocecal bypass (hybrid jejuno-ileo-cecal anastomosis) following subtotal ileal resection in seven horses. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2021;259(11):1337-1343.
- Floume T, Syms RR, Darzi AW, Hanna GB. Optical, thermal, and electrical monitoring of radio-frequency tissue modification. J Biomed Opt 2010;15(1):018003.
- Lim CB, Goldin RD, Elson DS, Darzi A, Hanna GB. In vivo thermography during small bowel fusion using radiofrequency energy. Surg Endosc 2010;24(10):2465-2474.
- Sandh G. Modification of the cutting thread technique for intestinal anastomoses using diathermy. Zentralbl Veterinarmed A 1991;38(2):115-125.
- Doyle AJ, Freeman DE, Rapp H, Murrell JA, Wilkins PA. Life-threatening hemorrhage from enterotomies and anastomoses in 7 horses. Vet Surg 2003;32(6):553-558.
- Bickers RJ, Blackford JT, Eiler H, Rohrbach B. A comparison of the mechanical strength of two stapled anastomosis techniques for equine small intestine. Vet Surg 2002;31(2):104-110.
- Blake JS, Trumpatori BJ, Mathews KG, Griffith EH. Carotid artery bursting pressure and seal time after multiple uses of a vessel sealing device. Vet Surg 2017;46(4):501-506.
- Gardeweg S, Bockstahler B, Duprè G. Effect of multiple use and sterilization on sealing performance of bipolar vessel sealing devices. PLoS One 2019;14(8):e0221488.
- Giusto G, Gandini M, Amedeo S. Effects of staple size, tissue thickness, and precompression time on staple shape in side-to-side jejunocecal anastomosis in specimens obtained from healthy horses at an abattoir. Am J Vet Res 2014;75(7):680-684.
- Seitz-Cherner E, Bauck AG, Denagamage T, Freeman DE. Ex vivo and in vivo evaluation of a modified interrupted Lembert pattern for small intestinal anastomoses in horses. Vet Surg .
Citations
This article has been cited 0 times.Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists