Abstract
Problem To test the feasibility of Laser Tissue Welding in creating an endoscopic transluminal repair of esophageal perforation. Methods A diode laser was used to create an endoluminal rabbit esophageal perforation repair. Burst pressures were compared to open incision, external suture, and external laser augmented suture closure. Comparisons were performed 5 times and analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA and a post-hoc Dunn's Method. Results The burst threshold of the endoluminal weld (54.78mHg) was significantly higher than the open incision (6.5mmHg) and not significantly different than the external suture (37.18mmHg) or the laser augmented suture group (71.60mmHg). Conclusion Laser welding is a feasible method of creating endoluminal repairs with burst strengths comparable to external suture repair. Significance This is the first report of Laser Tissue Welding for endoscopic closure of iatrogenic esophageal perforation which may allow a subset of these patients to avoid traditional open approaches.