Experience with compression intestinal anastomoses using valtrac biofragmentable ring

In November 1995, intestinal anastomosis with the Valtrac biofragmentable ring was introduced into surgical practice in Požega. This retrospective study included 62 patients, mean age 60.5 years, in whom 64 Valtrac biofragmentable anastomotic rings were implanted. The indications for intestinal anastomosis were gastric cancer in 29 (46.75), large intestine cancer in 18 (29.2%), ileus associated with intestinal gangrene in nine (14.5%), Crohn's disease in three (4.8%) and abdominal trauma in three (4.8%) patients. Thirty-nine (60.9%) anastomoses were placed in the small intestine and 25 (39.1%) in the large intestine. Valtrac ring No. 28 was used in 42.2%, No. 31 in 32.8% and No. 34 in 25.0% of cases, whereas No. 25 was not used at all. Postoperative complications related to the anastomosis occurred in four (6.4%) patients. Two (3.2%) of them developed a fistula due to partial dehiscence of the anastomosis, and two (3.2%) had intestinal obstruction. Two (3.2%) patients were reoperated on for ileus, and one (1.6%) patient for anastomosis dehiscence and peritonitis. Three (4.8%) patients died during the postoperative course from the pre-existing underlying disease. Based on the study results, the Valtrac biofragmentable anastomotic ring appears to be a method that can compete with other techniques of intestinal anastomosis. It is significantly more expensive than the manual technique but three times less expensive than the stapling method.