Fig. 2.

Histological evaluation of late postoperative human anastomoses

a–e Overview scans of Masson’s trichrome–stained sections of human anastomoses from late postoperative periods. Data on patient cases and type of anastomosis are described in Table S2. Scale bars = 2000 µm, 400× magnification. a + e Additional photograph of formalin-fixed tissue prior to paraffin embedding for further histological slide preparation. Additional markings in histologic images: a *submucosal scar formation within the anastomotic scar area. Left and right histological images are from different regions of the same anastomosis. b ##fibrosis of the muscularis layer around the anastomotic scar. Arrow heads indicate stapler holes. c Arrows indicate isolated groups of smooth muscle cells within anastomotic scars. d **ulceration at anastomotic site due to underlying Crohn’s disease. e #submucosal fat tissue accumulation due to underlying Crohn’s disease. The line marks the partially missing mucosa layer in histological section; the mucosal layer was closed above the anastomosis in the surgical specimen.