Poly-ϵ-caprolactone scaffold as staple-line reinforcement of rectal anastomosis: an experimental piglet study

Rectal anastomoses have a persisting high incidence of anastomotic leakage. This study aimed to assess whether the use of a poly-ϵ-caprolactone (PCL) scaffold as reinforcement of a circular stapled rectal anastomosis could increase tensile strength and improve healing compared to a control in a piglet model. Twenty weaned female piglets received a stapled rectal anastomosis and were randomised to either reinforcement with PCL scaffold (intervention) or no reinforcement (control). On postoperative day five the anastomosis was subjected to a tensile strength test followed by a histological examination to evaluate the wound healing according to the Verhofstad scoring. The tensile strength test showed no significant difference between the two groups, but histological evaluation revealed significant impaired wound healing in the intervention group. The incorporation of a PCL scaffold into a circular stapled rectal anastomosis did not increase anastomotic tensile strength in piglets and indicated an impaired histologically assessed wound healing.