Esophageal atresia--a rabbit model to study anastomotic healing and the use of tissue adhesive fibrin sealant

Liquid Copolymers as Biodegradable Surgical Sealant

Surgical sealants are widely used to prevent seepage of fluids and liquids, promote hemostasis, and close incisions. Despite the remarkable progress the field of biomaterials has undergone, the clinical uses of surgical sealants are limited because of their short persistence time in vivo, toxicity, and high production costs. Here, the development of two complementary neat (solvent-free) prepolymers, PEG₄ -PLGA-NHS and PEG₄ -NH₂ , that harden upon mixing to yield an elastic biodegradable sealant is presented. The mechanical and rheological properties and cross-linking rate can be controlled by varying the ratio between the two prepolymers. The tested sealants show a longer persistence time compared with fibrin glue, minimal cytotoxicity in vitro, and excellent biocompatibility in vivo. The neat, multiarmed approach demonstrated here improves the mechanical and biocompatibility properties and provides a promising tissue sealant solution for wound closure in future surgical procedures.

Reinforcement of intrathoracic oesophago-gastric anastomosis with fibrin sealant (Tisseel®) in oesophagectomy for cancer: A prospective comparative study

PURPOSE

Fibrin sealant (Tisseel) is a human protein and thrombin soluble fibrinogen that has been indicated for reinforcement of gastro-intestinal anastomoses to prevent leakage. The objective of this study is to examine the impact of fibrin sealant regarding anastomotic leak, following Ivor-Lewis procedure.

METHODS

This is a prospective comparative study on 2-stage oesophagectomy for cancer of the distal oesophagus or oesophagogastric junction. N = 57 individuals were randomly subjected; n = 22 patients to Tisseel in combination to surgical anastomosis versus n = 35 patients to surgical anastomosis alone. The test of probability was assessed through Chi-Square, independent samples paired T-Test and Log-Rank analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 57 cases included, 56 underwent hybrid and 1 open oesophagectomy. In the Tisseel group, n = 5(22.7%) developed anastomotic leak comparing to n = 3(8.6%) of the control group. No statistically significant difference in leak rate was shown between the two groups; the test of probability was rejected.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results are not supportive of Tisseel tissue sealing property on the intrathoracic oesophago-gastric anastomosis and fibrin sealant's use cannot be justified.

Autologous Activated Fibrin Sealant for the Esophageal Anastomosis: A Feasibility Study

BACKGROUND

Esophageal cancer is surgically treated by means of an esophagectomy. However, esophagectomies are associated with high morbidity rates with dehiscence of the anastomosis occurring in 19% of these procedures in the Netherlands. Application of a fibrin sealant may improve mechanical strength of the anastomosis. The aim of this study was to determine the technical feasibility of the application of an autologous fibrin sealant by aerosolized spraying on esophageal anastomoses.

METHODS

This study was designed as a single-center feasibility study. Patients undergoing elective minimal invasive esophageal surgery with the creation of a thoracic or a cervical anastomosis were eligible. Fibrin sealant (Vivostat) was applied to the anastomosis intraoperatively. Feasibility was measured using a nine-item checklist, designed for intraoperative application.

RESULTS

In total, fifteen patients, between the ages of 43-79 y, were included in this study. One procedure scored eight out of nine points on the feasibility checklist, so application was considered as unsuccessful. The other fourteen procedures obtained a 100% score and were documented as successful procedures. Together, this led to a success rate of 93%. Grade III anastomotic leakage occurred in one of the fifteen patients (6.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that application of fibrin sealant on esophageal anastomoses is technically feasible and safe. Future studies may investigate the possible protective effects of fibrin sealant application on the development of anastomotic leakage. NCT03251040.

The role of tissue adhesives in esophageal surgery, a systematic review of literature

BACKGROUND

Anastomotic leakage following esophageal surgery is a major contributor to mortality. According to the national database leakage occurs in 20% of esophagectomies carried out in the Netherlands. Therefore anastomotic leakage has been the topic of many studies. However, studies discussing application of tissue adhesives for either prevention or management of anastomotic leakage are limited. This article systematically reviewed all available literature on the potential use of tissue adhesives in esophageal surgery.

METHODS

Medline, Embase and Cochrane were searched to identify studies that used tissue adhesives as anastomotic sealants to prevent esophageal anastomotic leakage or used tissue adhesives to treat esophageal anastomotic leakage. Two authors independently selected nineteen out of 3107 articles.

RESULTS

Eight articles, of which five were experimental and three clinical, discussed prevention of anastomotic leakage. Eleven articles, of which one was experimental and ten clinical, discussed treatment of anastomotic leakage. Most articles reported positive results, however overall quality was low due to a high degree of bias and lack of homogeneity.

CONCLUSION

This study shows mainly positive results for the use of tissue adhesives for the esophageal anastomosis both in prevention of leakage as treating anastomotic leakage. However, the quality of current literature is poor.

Role of fibrin glue as a sealant to esophageal anastomosis in cases of congenital esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to characterize a successful approach for the management of infants with long-gap esophageal atresia (EA) with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF). The goal was to preserve the native esophagus and minimize the incidence of esophageal anastomotic leaks using fibrin glue as a sealant over the esophageal anastomosis.

METHOD

A total of 52 patients were evaluated in this study. Only patients in whom, gap between the two ends of the esophagus was > or = 2 cm were selected during January 2005 to January 2007. Patients were divided in two groups on the basis of block randomization. Group A comprised the patients in whom fibrin sealant was used as reinforcement on a primary end-to-end esophageal anastomosis; in group B, fibrin glue was not used. The two groups were compared in terms of esophageal anastomotic leak (EL), postoperative esophageal stricture (ES), and mortality. The statistical analysis was done using Fisher's exact test and the chi-squared test.

RESULT

The number of anastomotic leaks in group A (glue group) was about one-fifth that in group B (no glue group). The incidence of ES was almost twice as high in group B as in group A. The mortality rate was almost threefold higher in group B (no-glue group). The higher incidence of EL and ES in group B compared to group A was statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Thus, fibrin glue when used as an adjunct to esophageal anastomosis for primary repair of long-gap EA with TEF appears safe in the clinical setting and may lower the chances of esophageal leak and anastomosis-site strictures. Hence, it can diminish the mortality and morbidity of these patients.

Relationship of esophageal anastomotic tension to the development of gastroesophageal reflux

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a common occurrence after repair of congenital esophageal atresia and is believed to be more frequent when the esophageal anastomosis is performed under tension. This study documents that esophageal anastomotic tension correlates directly with the severity of acid reflux into the esophagus in the rabbit model.

METHODS

Eight adult rabbits underwent complete esophageal transection with immediate reanastomosis (EA) and 12 underwent resection of a 1-cm segment of the midesophagus with reanastomosis under mild tension (EAT). Three-weeks postoperation continuous lower esophageal pH (LEpH) values were recorded for a 24-hour period for each rabbit, and compared with five normal unoperated rabbits.

RESULTS

The normal rabbit's average LEpH is 7.7. EA rabbits had LEpH values below 5.0 for a mean of 56 min/24 hr (3.8% of monitored time). EAT rabbits had LEpH values below 5.0 for a mean of 328 min/24 hr (25.5% of monitored time; P < .05). EA rabbits had a mean of 8.8 reflux episodes under 5.0/24 hr, whereas EAT rabbits had a mean of 29.6 reflux episodes under 5.0. All EAT rabbits had moderate to severe anastomotic strictures; no EA rabbits had strictures. There were no anastomotic leaks.

CONCLUSIONS

Esophageal anastomosis with mild tension in the rabbit causes severe GER with resultant anastomotic strictures in almost all rabbits, in contrast to rabbits undergoing esophageal anastomosis without tension in whom strictures did not develop and had only small reduction in esophageal pH values.

Esophageal anastomosis: an experimental model to study anastomotic healing and the use of lyophilized collagen

This experimental study assessed the use of lyophilized collagen to reinforce cervical esophageal anastomosis in rabbits. Twenty New Zealand White rabbits weighing 2.3-3.2 kg were used. In group I (n = 10) a 1-cm-long segment of the esophagus was excised and the two free edges anastomosed, to mimic the conditions found in newborn esophageal atresia. Group II (n = 10) had a segmental esophageal resection and end-to-end anastomosis as in group I but the anastomotic site was circumferentially covered with lyophilized type I collagen film. The resected segments were processed immediately and served as controls for the postoperative tissue in each animal. The animals were starved for the first 24 h and water was given on the 2nd postoperative day; on the 3rd postoperative day the animals were allowed a normal diet. Two rabbits in group II died on the 7th and 8th postoperative days because of a fistula. All the rabbits were killed on the 10th postoperative day and 4-cm segments of esophagus with the anastomosis at the centre were removed. At this time gross leakage was detected in four animals (one in group I and three in group II). Each anastomosis was evaluated for bursting pressure, collagen content, and histologic appearance. Bursting pressure was higher in group I. Collagen (measured as hydroxyproline) levels in anastomotic and adjoining 1-cm segments were compared with concentrations in control segments resected during operation. In group II animals there was a significant reduction in the lowering of hydroxyproline concentrations around the anastomosis. Microscopic evaluation revealed no significant differences between the two groups. This experiment showed no demonstrable benefit from the use of lyophilized collagen in preventing the esophageal anastomotic leakage that occurs in repaired esophageal atresia.

Fibrin sealant of the cut surface of partial liver grafts from living donors

Complete hemostasis and proof against bile leakage on the cut surface of the partial liver graft and the remnant liver of the donor are basic desiderata for a successful outcome in living related liver transplantation (LRLT). This study evaluated the efficacy of fibrin glue sealant on the cut surface of a graft in human living related liver transplantation and canine partial liver transplantation in terms of postoperative complications. From June 1990 to August 1993, a series of 70 LRLTs were performed on children with end-stage liver disease. In harvesting the graft from living donor, hepatic parenchyma was transected by ultrasonic aspirator. Clearly exposed vessels were either ligated or suture ligated. Fibrous connecting tissues of the glissonian branches and tiny vessels were coagulated by a newly devised bipolar electric cautery equipped with saline dripping system. Fibrin sealant was sprayed on the cut surface of the liver graft and the remnant liver of the donor. All donors were discharged from hospital at 10 to 17 (mean = 11.6) days after surgery without any complications that required surgical intervention, and were able to return to normal life. At reperfusion of the graft in the recipients, no blood loss from the cut surface was observed. However, bile oozing on the cut surface was observed in 3 of the 70 cases. No infection or foreign body reactions were observed in the fibrin-sealed cut surface of the graft. Actuarial recipient survival rate was 89% (48/54) in elective cases and 69% (11/16) in emergency cases. In canine transplantation, 16 out of 23 beagles survived for 4 days or longer (longest 20 days).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)