The use of staplers in equine intestinal surgery.

This research examines the effectiveness of two different types of automatic suturing instruments, TA and GIA staplers, in various equine intestinal surgery procedures. It discusses the practicability of these tools in relation to clinical evaluations and post-mortem analysis at both macroscopic and microscopic levels.

Objective of the Study

• The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of two types of automatic suturing instruments, TA and GIA staplers, in equine intestinal surgery. The tools were used in varying surgical procedures including bowel closure and anastomoses (connective surgeries between two structures).

Methodology Used in the Research

• The researchers tested these tools in surgical procedures involving two ponies and two horses. The TA stapler, used for bowel closure and end-to-end ‘triangulation’ anastomoses, creates drains to connect structures.
• The GIA stapler was employed to form side-to-side anastomoses, which typically involve making a connection between two parallel structures.
• A comparative study was also conducted on one horse. Several enterotomies (intestinal incisions) were performed on it at different times, using both hand suturing and the stapling method, in order to compare the results.

Findings and Interpretations

• Conclusive findings from the research were discussed in connection with clinical evaluations and post-mortem examinations. These included macroscopic evaluations, which involve examination of larger scale structures, and microscopic examinations, which involve study of tissues at the cellular level.
• The utility of the staplers was assessed based on prospective suture and staple locations, the speed and ease of use of the tools in comparison to hand suturing, as well as the biological compatibility of the staples or sutures with the ponies’ and horses’ bodies.