First sutureless closure of a colotomy

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Abstract
To assess the possibility of laser anastomosis of the colon, experimental laser closure of colotomies was performed. Transverse colotomies (average 20.7 mm) in New Zealand white rabbits (n = 20) were closed with a 1,064-nm Nd:YAG laser at a pulsating 0.5-W wave of power, using guy sutures to approximate the tissue edges. The laser energy was applied through a specially designed hand piece and hand-held 600-microns gas-cooled noncontact quartz fiber to produce a satisfactory tissue welding. Similar colotomies were closed using a single layer of interrupted sutures of 5-0 Maxon (Davis & Geck, Pearl River, NY) in a control group (n = 20). Bursting pressure and index of narrowing were recorded immediately after anastomosis and at 1, 4, and 7 days following surgery. Bursting pressure of the laser-welded closure at 1 day was significantly lower than that of the sutured controls (P less than 0.01); however, all rabbits recovered uneventfully. There was a marked decrease in adhesion formation following laser anastomosis (P less than 0.05). Conversely, one control rabbit showed functional stenosis at 4 days. Histologic study revealed an accelerated healing in the laser group. The index of narrowing was significantly higher in the laser group than in the control group (P less than 0.05). The completely water-sealed laser anastomosis reduces adhesions and is comparable to conventional suture anastomosis of the colon.