In Vitro Evaluation of a Closed‐Bowel Technique for One‐Layer Hand‐Sewn Inverting End‐to‐End Jejunojejunosotomy in the Horse

Objective— To report a technique for closed‐bowel 1‐layer inverting end‐to‐end jejunojejunal anastomosis in horses. Study Design— Experimental study. Sample population— Fresh cadaveric jejunal segments from 12 horses. Methods— For each bowel segment a 1‐layer closed and a 2‐layer inverting end‐to‐end jejunojejunosotomy was created. Anastomosis construction time and anastomotic bursting pressure were measured and compared. Results— Closed‐bowel anastomosis was significantly faster to create than a 2‐layer technique. Luminal narrowing (<30%) was similar with both techniques and comparable with other inverting techniques. Bursting pressure was significantly higher for the 2‐layer technique, although all anastomoses resisted pressures higher than those reported for other jejunojejunal anastomosis techniques. Conclusions— A 1‐layer hand‐sewn, closed, inverting jejunojejunosotomy using a modified Doyen clamp was easy and faster to perform, and resulted in functional characteristics similar to, a 2‐layer hand‐sewn inverting technique. Clinical Relevance— A closed, 1‐layer inverting technique could be considered for equine jejunal anastomosis but requires in vivo evaluation before recommendation for clinical use.