Postoperative specimens from the SMESC and ISR groups and results of pathological examinations.

<p>A: The area above the anastomotic stoma was observed to be thickened in specimens from the SMESC group. B: There was no thickened area in the specimens from the ISR group. C: In the SMESC group, the smooth muscles were enfolded and thickened under the light microscope at a magnification of x200. D: In the ISR group, the smooth muscles were not enfolded or thickened under the light microscope at a magnification of x200.