Comparative study of cylindrical vs circular ring magnets for colonic anastomosis in rats.

Abstract

Background: Magnetic compression anastomosis (MCA) offers a simple and reliable technique for inducing anastomoses at any point along the digestive tract. Evidence regarding whether the design of the MCA device influences the anastomosis effect is lacking.

Aim: To investigate any difference in the side-to-side colonic anastomosis effect achieved with cylindrical vs circular ring magnets.

Methods: We designed cylindrical and circular ring magnets suitable for side-to-side colonic anastomosis in rats. Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a cylindrical group, circular ring group, and cylindrical-circular ring group (n = 10/group). Side-to-side colonic anastomosis was completed by transanal insertion of the magnets without incision of the colon. Operation time, perioperative complications, and magnet discharge time were recorded. Rats were euthanized 4 weeks post-operatively, and anastomotic specimens were obtained. The burst pressure and anastomotic diameter were measured sequentially, and anastomosis formation was observed by naked eye. Histological results were observed by light microscopy.

Results: In all 30 rats, side-to-side colonic anastomosis was completed, for an operation success rate of 100%. No postoperative complications of bleeding and intestinal obstruction occurred, and the postoperative survival rate were 100%. The operation time, magnet discharge time, anastomotic bursting pressure, and anastomotic diameter did not differ significantly among the three designs (P > 0.05). Healing was similar across the groups, with gross specimens showing good anastomotic healing and good mucosal continuity observed on histological analysis.

Conclusion: This study found no significant difference in the establishment of rat side-to-side colonic anastomosis with the use of cylindrical vs circular ring magnets.