Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of nickel titanium compression anastomosis clip (CAC) in gastrointestinal anastomosis.Methods The clinical data of 413 patients who received gastrointestinal anastomosis with nickel titanium CAC or curved stapler at the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from January 2007 to December 2011 were retrospectively analyzed.All the patients were divided into the CAC group (227 patients) and the curved stapler group (186 patients).The time for gastrointestinal anastomosis,anastomotic bleeding,complications,condition of the incision sites,the first postoperative flatus and time for the excretion of the CAC between the 2 groups were compared.All data were analyzed using the t test or chisquare test.Results The time for gastrointestinal anastomosis of the CAC group was (8.3 ± 2.5) minutes,which was significantly shorter than (18.7 ± 3.6) minutes of the curved stapler group (t =5.74,P < 0.05).There were no significant difference in the time of postoperative flatus,duration of hospital stay and costs between the 2 groups (t =0.27,1.32,3.11,P > 0.05).No patients in the CAC group had anastomotic bleeding,while the incidence of anastomotic bleeding of the curved stapler group was 3.23 % (6/186),with a significant difference between the 2 groups (x2=7.43,P < 0.05).The incidences of gastric emptying dysfunction of the CAC group and the curved stapler group were 0.88% (2/227) and 1.08% (2/186),with no significant difference between the 2 groups (x2=0.04,P > 0.05).The incidences of postoperative anastomotic stricture and anastomositis were 0 (0/227) and 11.01% (25/227) in the CAC group,and 2.15% (4/186) and 21.50% (40/186) in the curved stapler group,with significant differences between the 2 groups (x2 =4.93,8.49,P < 0.05).No anastomotic fistula was detected in the 2 groups.The CAC was excreted at postoperative day 12-26.Conclusion CAC is safe and effective for gastrointestinal anastomosis. Key words: Gastrointestinal diseases; Gastrointestinal anastomosis; Nickel titanium compression anastomosis clip; Curved stapler