Incorporating a poly-ε-caprolactone scaffold in a stapled small intestinal anastomosis with induced ischemia significantly increased anastomotic tensile strength. An experimental study in pigs.

Objective: Anastomotic leakage is a severe complication with multifactorial aetiology, including impaired tissue oxygenation, infection, inflammation, and anastomotic tension. Reinforcement with poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) scaffold incorporated in a stapled intestinal anastomosis has demonstrated a significant increase in the anastomotic tensile strength. This study aimed to investigate whether incorporation of the scaffold would influence tensile strength with induced ischemia compared to normal blood perfusion.