Surgical Method for Using an Intraintestinal Bypass Graft

The invention is in the field of surgery and particularly in the field of intestinal surgical procedures concerning resection, anastomosis, colostomy, esophagostomy, and the like.

The technique of surgical colostomy as a temporary solution to various colonic disorders has become an accepted and standard procedure for temporarily resolving the problems where a section of diseased colon must be removed for reasons such as diverticulitis, cancerous obstruction, perforation, trauma, etc. The technique of surgical cervical esophagotomy and tube gastrotomy are also accepted temporary procedures designed to protect esophageal anastomoses.

The major problem with intestinal anastomoses, especially those of the colon and esophagus are anastomotic dehiscences which are associated with high morbidity and mortality.

In the colon, the incidence of anastomotic dehiscences range from 5 to 69%, and at the turn of the century, it was associated with 30 to 50% mortality rate. This led to the development of fecal diversion procedures, colostomy, and ileostomy.

Recently, this proximal fecal diversion is being questioned. It is felt that it does not guarantee against anastomotic leaks and does not improve the morbidity of colonic surgery. The construction and subsequent closure of a colostomy is associated with a high morbidity and mortality which ranges from 0.5 to 57%, and to 0 to 34% respectively.

The mortality rate from colonic anastomosis leakage rises in patients with diverticulitis and low colonic resections. The mortality rate for emergency resection of the colon in the clinical setting reaches as high as 28%. Experimentally a 24% mortality rate has been reported in resection of simulated diverticulitis.

Esophageal dehiscences are associated with even higher morbidity and mortality. The perioperative mortality following esophageal surgery ranges from 6 to 57%. When associated with anastomotic leakage, these figures escalate from 50% to 100%.

Because of high esophageal leak rates, many structures have been used to reinforce the esophageal anastomosis. These include lung, visceral pleural patch, omentum, peritoneum, pericardium, intercostal pedicle, and gastric fundus. All these techniques have one thing in common; they lie external to the esophageal anastomosis and act as patches without preventing the secretions or food from coming in contact with the anastomosis. For this reason they have not been consistently reliable both experimentally and clinically.

Anastomotic technique, shock, peritoneal sepsis, inadequate bowel preparation, malnutrition, coagulopathy, technical difficulty, diabetes, steroid dependence, uremic abscess, fistula, peritonitis, fecal soiling, poor blood supply, distal obstruction, absence of serosa, advanced age, and tension factors which may compromise the healing of an intestinal anastomosis. A combination of some of the above factors should lead to a staging of the management by means of a colostomy rather than a primary resection and anastomosis. Colonic loading is particularly dangerous as a cause of anastomotic dehiscences.

As noted above, because of the high incidence of intestinal anastomosis to leak, the salivary esophago-gastrointestinal secretion, food and fecal flow are diverted by proximal colostomy, cecostomy, ileostomy, or cervical esophagotomy.

An intestinal anastomosis becomes leak proof only after it is completely sealed. The gastrointestinal tract heals much more rapidly than the skin. The tensile strength of the intestine is acquired earlier because the strength of a newly formed collagen reaches that of the old collagen more rapidly. A 10-to-12-day anastomosis has a very strong tensile strength because it is rigid and under less tension. The normal intestine can be shown to burst before disruption of the anastomosis.

In studies on dogs in connection with the present invention, the esophageal and colonic anastomosis were subjected to maximal stress. All dogs were fed on the first postoperative day, all dogs had no bowel preparation and had a maximal colonic load. Where gross dehiscences of the esophagus and colon were created, and a graft was not used, these animals died. In those where the implantation of the temporary intra-intestinal graft was performed, there were no deaths. The graft has successfully prevented the esophageal and colonic anastomosis from leaking. It guarantees that the anastomoses and all the created gross dehiscences would procede to complete healing before the graft passed naturally in two to three weeks time. The graft becomes the innermost lining of the intestine and as such act as a protective barrier between the secretions, food or feces, and the intestinal mucosa. The implantation of the intra-intestinal graft has been demonstrated to be a safe, uncomplicated procedure which completely protects an anastomosis even in the presence of gross dehiscence.

As a solution to the anastomotic leak rate and the considerable complication rate accompanying proximal colostomy or esophagostomy, the present invention provides an intraintestinal graft that diverts all the salivary esophago-gastointestinal secretion, food, and fecal flow from the proposed anastomotic site more safely and expeditiously than any other method and does so with one operation only. This tube then substitutes for a colostomy and esophagostomy and prevents leakage at the anastomosis. This invention is applicable for anastomoses of most intestinal and related human and animal fluid ducts where a complete diversion of fluids is needed.

The new invention is a technique whereby leakage from an anastomosis and problems directly resulting from such leakage are eliminated. The invention is an anastomotic procedure for securing body ducts using an intraintestinal bypass graft formed perferably of a soft latex or silastic tube with a radiopague axial line for x-ray observation after implantation. The ends of the tube are sutured or stapled to the mucosal or submucosal linings, and after a period of about 10 to 15 days during which the anastomosis is healing, the bypass graft separates naturally from the wall of the intestine, and is finally expelled naturally from the anus. This graft prevents leakage at the anastomosis and thus substitutes for and makes unnecessary a colostomy or any other diversionary procedure.

This bypass procedure is applicable to reduce or prevent leakage of anastomosed body conduits of many types including colonic, intestinal, esophageal, etc. The diameter of the bypass graft will correspond to the bore of the excised conduit, and the length of the bypass will vary with the length of colon or other duct extending downstream from the anastomosis. A reinforcing collar is particularly important at the proximal or upstream end of the bypass, since that portion is sewn and must not tear, shrink or stretch even though it must remain generally flexible enough so as not to interfere with the peristaltic pressure and natural contractions of the excised conduit.

It is considered that this procedure, implantation of the intraintestinal graft, can replace and eliminate all the following complications, psychological and physical stress, odor, erratic function of the stoma, cost, nursing care, skin problems, infection, herniation, prolapse, perforation, risk of a major operation, and repeated hospitalization by creating and closing a temporary colostomy in a safe and expeditious manner. It is suggested that its use be considered whenever a colonic anastomosis and closure are at risk. This includes low anterior resection, perforated diverticulitis, and a combination of three or more factors known to be associated with anastomotic breakdown. Further it should end the debate concerning the management of the traumatic colon injuries and obviate a long and costly hospital stay when exteriorization is chosen. It should be used for all esophageal anastomoses and should be suitable for use in the perforated esophagus, both iatrogenic and spontaneous.

This procedure can prevent an anastomosis stricture that may occur with proximal colostomy because the anastomosis will be dilated by the feces inside the graft. It is also indicated that the latex graft may possibly prevent the implantation of disseminated intraluminal tumor cells at the suture line.

The intraintestinal graft together with an adequate blood supply to the tension-free anastomosis will provide optimum conditions for a healing and safe anastomosis.

FIG. 1. A fragmentory schematic view of a colon which has been excised and is prepared for attachment to the intraintestinal bypass graft (tube) of this invention prior to anastomosis. Eversion of cloth-covered end of graft and proximal colon are shown.

FIG. 2. Posterior anastomosis of the graft to the everted bowel.

FIG. 3. Complete anastomosis of the everted graft to the everted bowel.

FIG. 4. Margin of unfolded graft anastomosed to the everted colon.

FIG. 5. Proximal colon restored to normal appearance. Posterior colonic anastomosis completing the graft is seen tied to the rectal tube in distal colon.

FIG. 6. Complete colonic and tubal anastomosis.

FIG. 7. Initial stage of attachment of the bypass tube to the proximal colon with the EEA stapler device.

FIG. 8. Purse string around submucosa at the colotomy site and insertion of EEA with graft tube in the proximal colon.

FIG. 9. Approximation of submucosa to tube by the EEA.

FIG. 10. Tubal anastomosis and posterior colon to colon anastomosis, performed with the graft tied to a rectal tube in the distal colon.

FIG. 11. A complete tubal and colonic anastomosis.

FIG. 12. A view of the graft as it lies in the rectal ampulla after its been anastomosed to the proximal colon.

FIG. 13. Mobilization of the esophagus.

FIG. 14. Evertion of the proximal esophagus by four stay sutures.

FIG. 15. Posterior anastomosis of the graft to the proximal everted esophagus.

FIG. 16. Complete anastomosis of the everted graft to the everted esophagus.

FIG. 17. Proximal esophagus restored to normal appearance.

FIG. 18. Complete esophageal and graft anastomosis.

FIG. 19. Complete esophagojejunal anastomosis with the implanted graft.

FIG. 20. Complete esophagogastric anastomosis with the implanted graft.

FIG. 1 shows the first stage of a typical colon segmental resection procedure. A section of colon is removed leaving the proximal colon 2 and distal colon 3 with a rectal tube or leader 18 for later use extending from the distal colon downward to and out the anus. The end 4 of the proximal 2 colon is everted by a length of about 5 cm. The new intracolonic bypass tube 6 has its proximal end 8 everted by a length of about 1 cm. and positioned adjacent and generally coaxially with proximal colon end 4. Tube 6 is a bypass graft preferably formed of a thin wall soft latex or silastic. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, proximal end 8 of the bypass tube is sutured or stapled 9 to the submucosa 10 of the proximal everted colon 4. The tube end 8 is then unfolded, as seen in FIG. 4, and the margin 11 of the tube 6 is again sutured at 12 to the mucosa 10.

Next the proximal colon end 2 is un-everted as seen in FIG. 5, so that the proximal end 8 of the bypass tube 6 is within and enclosed by the proximal colon 2, with the remainder of the tube 6 hanging freely out of the proximal colon; the distal end 14 of the bypass tube is inserted into the distal colon 3 and secured to leader 18 therein and drawn downstream toward the anus. Lastly, as shown in FIG. 6 the proximal colon 2 has its terminal edge 2A anastomosed posteriorly by sutures 20 to the terminal edge 3A of distal colon 3. The distal end of the bypass tube is then tied to the rectal tube not shown and passed into the distal colon toward the anus. Typically the bypass tube extends two to ten inches beyond the anastomosis, depending on the location of same.

An alternative technique to suturing the intracolonic bypass as described above is to use more contemporary staples as illustrated in FIGS. 7-10. An incision 22 is made in the proximal colon slightly upstream of the terminal edge 23; the proximal end 24 of intracolonic bypass tube 26 receives an end 28 of a surgical stapler 29 whose shank extends out said end 24 and terminates in bell 32. As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 the terminal edge 25 of the tube is drawn with purse string 27, and the bell 32 with the covered proximal end 24 of the tube is inserted into the proximal colon end until covered end 24 is directly adjacent the incision 22. Next, as seen in FIG. 9, the proximal colon is stapled about its circumference 34 to the bypass tube. Finally, incision 22 is closed as seen in FIGS. 9 and 10 and the remainder of tube 26 is inserted into the distal colon 38, the distal tube end 40 is secured to leader 42, and the proximal colon 20 is anastomosed to distal colon 38 as previously described FIG. 11 depicts the completion of the procedure illustrated in FIGS. 7- 10.

FIGS. 12-20 illustrate surgical procedures wherein the bypass tube of the present invention is applicable to reduce or prevent leakage from body conduits after anastomosis. FIG. 12 diagramatically illustrates the graft as it lies in the rectal ampulla after colonic anastomosis. FIGS. 13-18 relate to management of esophageal dehiscences using an intraluminal tube. Specifically, FIG. 13 illustrates mobilization of the esophagus; FIG. 14 depicts eversion of the esophagus by four stay sutures; FIG. 15 shows posterior anastomosis of the tube to the proximal everted esophagus; FIG. 16 illustrates the tube sutured to submucosa of the everted proximal esophagus; FIG. 17 depicts the proximal esophagus returned to normal operation; and FIG. 18 shows the final appearance of the anastomosed tube passing through the completed esophageal anastomosis. FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate, respectively, a complete esophagojejunal anastomosis and a complete esophagogastric anastomosis, each with the tube implanted.

The intracolonic bypass has been shown to be a safe uncomplicated procedure which temporarily completely diverts the fecal and colonic secretions from the anastomotic site. If 2/0 dexon is used to fix the tube, a 10 to 12 day anastomotic protection under the worst conditions is provided.

The morbidity and mortality in recent tests have been zero. It is believed that this procedure can replace and eliminate all the complications of creating and closing a temporary colostomy. The psychological and physical stress, odor, erratic function of the stoma, cost, nursing care, skin problems, infection, herniation, prolapse, perforation, risk of a major operation, and repeated hospitalization that accompany a colostomy can all be eliminated. The tubal bypass should eliminate anastomotic leaks with its morbidity and mortality. It is indicated that this procedure will prevent an anastomotic stricture that may occur with proximal colostomy, because the anastomosis will be dilated by the feces inside the tube. It is also indicated that the latex tube may possibly prevent the implantation of disseminated intraluminal tumor cells at the suture line. Intracolonic bypass together with an adequate blood supply to the tension-free anastomosis will provide optimum conditions for a healing and safe anastomosis.

Upon healing of the anastomosis the bypass tube is passed naturally from the anus by explusion. All tubes in recent tests were found with the intact sutures, indicating that the sutures separate from the bowel wall.