Colorectal anastomoses with the EEA stapler.

Abstract

AbstractFrom March, 1979 to November, 1980, a total of 100 consecutive patients underwent a left colectomy (45 patients) or an anterior sigmoidorectal resection (55 patients) for carcinoma (77 patients), diverticulitis (21 patients), or chronic sigmoid volvulus (2 patients). The colorectal anastomoses were fashioned by means of the EEA stapler. After rectal resections for cancer, the height of the sutures ranged from 11 to 2 cm from the anal margin. Seventeen of these anastomoses would have been difficult, and 7 quite impossible, without the stapling gun. There was no operative mortality and the morbidity was low. Eleven anastomotic leaks occurred, in many cases detected only by the xray controls; there were no significant early or late consequences, except for 1 patient. Clinical and radiological survey confirmed the reliability of the results in most patients. It is concluded from this retrospective analysis that the EEA enables safe sutures and very low colorectal anastomoses to be constructed.