The use of the Valtrac ring in the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract,for single, double, and triple anastomoses: A report of 50 cases

The Valtrac biofragmentable anastomotic ring (V-BAR) technique has been wid ely used in clinical practice, particularly in anastomoses of the colon. Th e success of this method encouraged some surgeons to use it also in anastom osis of the small intestine. We are convinced that the method can be used s uccessfully also in anastomosis of the small intestine and the upper gastro intestinal tract, particularly in cases of technically difficult and high-r isk anastomoses. Between 1995 and 1998, we used the V-BAR in 35 patients, p erforming a total of 50 anastomoses. In 13 patients a double anastomosis wa s created in the same operation, and in one patient a triple anastomosis wa s created. In all we performed one end-to-end esophagojejunostomy, one gast rojejunostomy, six gastroileostomies, two duodenojejunal anastomoses, 13 en d-to-end duodenoileostomies, one jejuno-jejunal anastomosis, 18 end-to-side ileoileal anastomoses, one ileocolic anastomosis, and seven colocolic anas tomoses. Follow-up at between 2 and 36 months showed good overall results w ith regard to resumption of intestinal transit and canalization, even in th ose cases in which a double and triple suture was performed using the Valtr ac ring. In our experience, the V-BAR can be used in upper gastrointestinal surgery with excellent results. Compared with manual sutures, the ring all ows better and faster resumption of transit and canalization.