Impact and Measurement of Mechanical Tension in Bowel Anastomosis: A Scoping Review of the Current Literature

Introduction

Creating a “tension-free anastomosis” is a fundamental principle in safe bowel surgery. This review aims to summarize the current literature regarding the measurement and impact of tension on bowel anastomoses.

Methods

This scoping review was conducted using a systematic literature search in the PubMed, SCOPUS, and EMBASE databases. Data were synthesized in tables and summarized paragraphically, with studies assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale.

Results

Out of the 350 studies identified in the initial literature review, 25 were included in this study. Several studies indicated that anastomotic leak and tension are strongly associated, with the presence of tension making leaks up to 10 times more likely. However, no objective and clinically available methods exist to measure tension on bowel anastomosis in humans. Freedom from tension has traditionally been measured via surrogate measures of adequate bowel mobilization and subjective assessment by operating surgeons. Animal and cadaveric studies have been the frontier for objective measurement of wall tension. These studies use tensiometers to measure tension and automated machines or pulley and ratcheting systems to increase tension at specified intervals. However, these methods are universally destructive due to their design of measuring maximal tensile load and are not readily adaptable to the operating room.

Conclusions

The current literature does not address the objective measurement of bowel tension in live human subjects. Given the importance of tension, developing an objective, safe, intraoperative method to measure bowel wall tension would be a valuable surgical tool.