THE DOUBLE STAPLING TECHNIQUE FOR ANTERIOR RESECTION

Abstract

Anterior resection using double stapling technique (DST) was performed in fourteen cases of carcinoma of the sigmoid colon and rectum. DST, which was first proposed by Knight and Griffen in 1980, is a mechanical double anastomosis.We performed DST using ROTICULATOR and PREMIUM CEEA with some our original devices. Consequently, no anastomotic complications such as leakage, stricture and bleeding were experienced. DST has the following advantages; 1) lower anastomosis than single stapling technique; 2) fewer chances for infection; 3) fast and reliable anastomosis; and 4) less postoperative complications. Considering these advantages, application of DST would be actively recommended for anterior resection of rectal carcinoma as well as for high anterior resection of sigmoid colon carcinomas. Moreover endoscopic observation of anastomosed sites was made postoperatively to see the presence anastomotic stricture or pocket formation. There was no anastomotic stricture but pocket formation was found in 3 out of 12 cases.