A general handle addition theorem (Q1910194)

Let \(M\) be a 3-manifold and \(\Gamma = \{J_1,\dots,J_n\}\) a collection of pairwise disjoint, 2-sided, simple closed curves in on \(\partial M\). The 3-manifold obtained from \(M\) by adding \(n\) 2-handles along the curves \(\Gamma\) is denoted by \(M_\Gamma\). For a handlebody \(H\), \(H_\Gamma\) is called an \(n\)-relator 3-manifold. In [Mich. Math. J. 30, 289-308 (1983; Zbl 0549.57007)] \textit{J. H. Przytycki} first obtained a sufficient condition for a 1-relator 3-manifold \(H_J\) to have incompressible boundary. \textit{W. Jaco} soon extended the result to the 3-manifolds with compressible boundary [Proc. Am. Math. Soc. 92, 288-292 (1984; Zbl 0564.57009)]. These so-called handle addition theorems have been applied very successfully in dealing with incompressible surfaces, surgeries and other related topics. But there exist examples which show that a direct generalization of the theorems to the case in which more than one 2-handle is added is not possible. However, some generalizations were given by Przytycki to 2-relator, 3-relator 3-manifolds and \(M_\Gamma\) in [Lond. Math. Soc. Lect. Note Ser. 112, 273-285 (1986; Zbl 0621.57005)] by adding some additional conditions, and one to \(n\)-relator 3-manifolds by this author recently. In this paper it is these handle addition theorems that we extend to a more general version as follows: Theorem. Assume: (1) \(\partial M - \Gamma\) is incompressible in \(M\); (2) for each \(i\), \(1 \leq i \leq n\), \(\partial M - (\Gamma - J_i)\) is compressible in \(M\); (3) a compressing disk from (2), say \(D\), can be chosen in such a way that either \(\partial D\) is not coplanar with \(\Gamma - J_i\) or \(D\) does not separate \(M\). Then \(M_\Gamma\) has incompressible boundary, or it is equal to a 3-disk.