Ex vivo evaluation of a technique for equine jejunocecal anastomosis using radiofrequency thermofusion and a Cushing oversew

Objective To describe a technique for a side‐to‐side jejunocecal anastomosis in horses using radiofrequency thermofusion (TF) of the intestines supported by a Cushing oversew and to compare this anastomosis to handsewn and stapled techniques. Study design Ex vivo study. Sample population Intestinal tracts from 24 slaughtered horses. Methods A radiofrequency device was used to perform a jejunocecal anastomosis (Group RFA). The construction time and bursting pressure of this construct were compared with those of a hand‐sewn double layer (Group HS) and stapled anastomoses (Group ST) without oversew of the staple line. Histology was also performed for the TF anastomoses to evaluate the extent of the thermal damage. Results The median (range) construction time (min) for the TF (15.8 [14.4‐16.8]) was not significantly different from that for the HS (25.5 [24.2‐26.3]) and ST (10.8 [9.7‐12.5]) groups (p = .07). The construction time for ST was shorter than that for HS group (p