Steve Siegal, MD, James Dolan, MD. Oregon Health and Science University
Objective of The Device
There is an increasing need for laparoscopic enteral feeding access in hospital populations. Intracorporeal suturing requires advanced laparoscopic skills and can be time consuming. Alternatively, surgical kits utilizing a T-fastener system with skin anchors may be used. Various problems have been identified with these techniques and devices, especially in obese patients. The plastic skin anchors lack adjustability in the tension of the fastener, are painful for patients, occasionally promote infection, and infrequently brake thus requiring surgical intervention. We have designed a novel enteral access system that will improve upon the T-fastener system material and enhance versatility while stabilizing the feeding tube more securely and comfortably.
Description of the Technology and Method
T Fastener
The T-fasteners will replace the current suture with Graphene fibers to allow increased tensile strength along with flexibility to decrease the amount of shear stress over the skin and decrease the risk of failure and/or complications especially in obese patients.
Skin Anchor Complex
A round plastic support complex with a silicone layer maintains contact with skin (Figure 1) and a large hole accommodates a 10 to 20 French feeding tube. Four fixation holes attach the feeding tube to the support complex. The anchor seal and handle allows the t-fastener to be secure and comfortable. The tightness of the fixation device can be easily adjusted. Silver is incorporated into the silicone matrix to allow for antimicrobial properties.
Preliminary results
No data is currently available as this technology is currently in the development phase.
Conclusions / Future Directions
Current laparoscopic feeding tube procedures require advanced intracorporeal suturing with longer operative time, while prior T-Fastener kits have suffered from broken sutures, tube dislodgement, skin anchor-induced infection, and patient discomfort. Our novel technology will introduce an innovative skin anchoring complex that improves tensile strength while allowing tension adjustability, increases patient comfort, reduces skin infections, decreases feeding tube complications, and lessens operative time with its ease of use. What’s more is this devise will also find application in other areas of the body that require percutaneous fixation.
Presented at the SAGES 2017 Annual Meeting in Houston, TX.
Abstract ID: 84338
Program Number: ETP719
Presentation Session: Emerging Technology Poster
Presentation Type: Poster
