Magnetic Sutures: New Technique Achieves World-First in Bergamo, Italy

Bergamo, Italy – Surgeons at the San Marco Polyclinic in Zingonia, Bergamo, have performed what they are calling the first-ever anastomoses of the colon using a magnetic linear system, eliminating the need for traditional sutures. The procedures, completed on February 23, 2026, represent a significant advancement in minimally invasive gastrointestinal surgery.

The innovative technique was utilized during two laparoscopic procedures: a right hemicolectomy for a tumor and a left colonic resection for diverticular disease. Stefano Olmi, head of the General, Oncological and Robotic Surgery Unit at the Polyclinic, led the operations under the supervision of Michel Gagner, a globally recognized authority in digestive and metabolic surgery.

Anastomosis, the surgical connection of two intestinal segments, is a critical step in abdominal surgery. For decades, surgeons have relied on manual suturing, later transitioning to mechanical staplers in the 1980s. The magnetic anastomosis system, however, offers a sutureless alternative. According to Professor Olmi, the system, inserted endoscopically, allows for the union of intestinal segments without the use of traditional mechanical staplers or manual stitches.

The San Marco Polyclinic is one of four international centers participating in the MagCR Study, which is evaluating the application of magnetic anastomosis in colon surgery. The other participating centers are located in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Madrid, Spain; and Santiago, Chile. The study is spearheaded by Michel Gagner, who developed the technique.

The magnetic system utilizes a linear magnetic connection to bring the two ends of the colon together, facilitating healing without the foreign materials associated with sutures or staples. Even as the long-term implications of this technique are still under investigation, proponents suggest it could lead to reduced inflammation, faster healing times and potentially fewer complications for patients.

The Gruppo San Donato, the hospital group to which the San Marco Polyclinic belongs, announced the successful procedures, highlighting the potential for this technique to become a new standard in colon surgery. Further data from the MagCR Study will be required to assess the widespread applicability and efficacy of the magnetic anastomosis system.