[Diagnosis and Definition of Anastomotic Leakage from the Surgeon's Perspective.]
Welsch T, von Frankenberg M, Schmidt J, Büchler M.W.
Chirurg. 2010 Nov 26. [Epub ahead of print] German.
PMID: 21107971 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Management and Outcome of Colorectal Anastomotic Leaks.
Thornton M, Joshi H, Vimalachandran C, Heath R, Carter P, Gur U, Rooney P.
Int J Colorectal Dis. 2010 Nov 25. [Epub ahead of print]
PMID: 21107847 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

CONCLUSIONS: Anastomotic leaks are not detected until late in the post-operative period and are associated with a high mortality. Demand on hospital resources is high. In this series, patients who leaked after a colonic anastomosis had a higher mortality and permanent stoma rate than after leaks from a rectal anastomosis.

[Intestinal anastomoses and techniques in the lower gastrointestinal tract.]
Mohr Z, Willis S.
Chirurg. 2010 Nov 24. [Epub ahead of print] German.
PMID: 21104213 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Abstract
Surgery of the lower gastrointestinal tract includes segmental resections for benign colorectal diseases and radical resections for treating colorectal cancer performed under elective and emergency conditions. The most important part of the surgical procedure is the reconstruction of the physiological intestinal continuity by anastomosis. At present laparoscopic surgery has widened the array of different suturing and stapling techniques. The effectiveness of manual and stapled anastomoses depends on the expertise of the surgeon. However, skilful preparation of the hand-sutured technique is essential.

Magnetic Compression Duct-to-duct Anastomosis for Biliary Obstruction in a Patient with Living Donor Liver Transplantation.
Itoi T, Yamanouchi E, Ikeuchi N, Kasuya K, Iwamoto H, Tsuchida A.
Gut Liver. 2010 Sep;4(Suppl. 1):S96-S98. Epub 2010 Sep 10.
PMID: 21103303 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] Free PMC Article

Magnetic compression anastomosis (MCA) is a minimally invasive method of performing choledochocholedochostomy without surgery in patients with biliary stricture or obstruction. We describe a successful case involving magnetic compression duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction in right-lobe living donor liver transplantation (RL-LDLT). Endoscopically, a samarium-cobalt (Sm-Co) rare-earth magnet was placed at the superior site of obstruction via the percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage route, and another Sm-Co magnet was also placed at the inferior site of obstruction with the aid of an endoscope. MCA techniques enabled complete anastomosis without procedure-related complications. In conclusion, the MCA technique is a revolutionary method of performing choledochocholedochostomy in patients with biliary obstruction after LDLT.

Updated: November 30, 2010