ObjectiveTo determine the ability of functional side‐to‐side small intestinal anastomoses (FSS‐SIA) created with an electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing (EBVS) device to resist leakage.Study designExperimental, ex vivo.Sample populationJejunal segments (n = 130) from 10 healthy canine cadavers.MethodsFour types of anastomoses were created (two segments/construct and 15 constructs/group): EBVS (group A), EBVS + transverse stapling (group B), stapled (group C), and EBVS + suture augmentation (group D). Initial leakage pressure (ILP), initial leakage location (ILL), and maximal intraluminal pressure were compared between groups, and five group A constructs were analyzed histologically.ResultsInitial leakage pressure was greater in group D than in groups A, B, and C (P < .011). There was a difference in ILL among groups (P = .003). Leakage occurred at the side‐to‐side intestinal anastomosis fusion line in 13 of 15 (87%) constructs for groups A and B and in nine of 15 (60%) constructs for group D. Maximal intraluminal pressure was greater in group C than in groups A, B, and D (P < .004). Histological examination was consistent with collagenous fusion without cavitation defects.ConclusionFunctional side‐to‐side small intestinal anastomosis was consistently achieved with an EBVS device. Augmentation of EBVS anastomoses with simple interrupted sutures along the anastomotic fusion line increased ILP compared with stapled anastomoses.Clinical significanceDespite the success and feasibility of creating an FSS‐SIA with an EBVS device, additional in vivo studies are required to determine the effectiveness of intestinal fusion prior to clinical implementation.

Five dogs were diagnosed with omental hemangiosarcoma (HSA). Three of the dogs were Schnauzers. One dog was asymptomatic and four dogs presented with urinary or colonic obstruction. Computed tomography, performed in three cases, revealed a well‐circumscribed caudal abdominal mass that displaced local abdominal organs. Surgical exploration confirmed that the masses were associated with the omentum. The mass was removed in four cases and debulked in one. Histopathologic evaluation in all cases was consistent with HSA. One dog underwent adjuvant chemotherapy and survived 170 days, whilst adjuvant chemotherapy was declined in the other cases, with survival times ranging from 50–120 days. Omental HSA can result in clinical signs related to fecal or urinary obstruction due to the size of the mass and caudal location within the abdomen. Although omental HSA is a rare anatomic variant of HSA, it does behave similar to splenic and other visceral HSA, with a guarded prognosis.