Bovine pericardium buttress reinforces colorectal anastomoses in a canine model.

Purpose: The consequences of an anastomotic leak or disruption can be devastating, particularly in the colorectal surgery population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare colon anastomoses with or without a collagen matrix buttress derived from bovine pericardium.

Methods: A circular stapler was used to create colon-colon anastomoses in a canine model.