Laser tissue soldering of the gastrointestinal tract: A systematic review
Ido Ashbell,
Nadav Agam,
Abraham Katzir,
Svetlana Basov,
Max Platkov,
Itzhak Avital,
Ilana Nisky,
Uri Netz
Affiliations
Ido Ashbell
Goldman School of Medicine, Ben Gurion University, Beer-Sheva, Israel
Nadav Agam
Goldman School of Medicine, Ben Gurion University, Beer-Sheva, Israel
Abraham Katzir
School of Physics & Astronomy, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
Svetlana Basov
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
Max Platkov
Nuclear Research Center Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
Itzhak Avital
Goldman School of Medicine, Ben Gurion University, Beer-Sheva, Israel; Department of Surgery A, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel; Legacy-Heritage Oncology Center, Larry Norton Institute, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel
Ilana Nisky
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
Uri Netz
Goldman School of Medicine, Ben Gurion University, Beer-Sheva, Israel; Department of Surgery A, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel; Corresponding author. Department of Surgery A, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
Background: Laser Tissue Soldering (LTS) is a promising tissue bonding technique in which a solder is applied between the tissues and then irradiated by laser, causing it to solidify and form links with the tissue. Methods: A comprehensive systematic review summarizing the state of research of LTS in the gastrointestinal tract. Results: Most studies were conducted on large animal tissues, using liquid proteinaceous solder, and irradiated by a continuous wave laser at 808 nm. LTS can provide better sealing and burst pressure than conventional methods. The application of LTS on top of or in addition to sutures showed an impressive increase in burst pressures. LTS may decrease the inflammatory and foreign body reaction caused by sutures. Conclusions: LTS has strong potential to be applied in a clinical setting in leak prevention and in closure of gastrointestinal structures as an adjunct or additional anastomotic technology, decreasing leak rates, morbidity, and mortality.
