[Staplers in surgery: state of the art]

After a review of the technical development and application of staplers from their introduction to the present day, the indications to the use of this instrument in all gastroenterological areas from the oesophagus to the rectum as well as in chest, gynaecological and urological surgery specified. The advantages offered by staplers in the creation of intestinal anastomoses are undeniable, but these instruments must be considered alternatives to traditional surgery, the techniques of which should be well known to all surgeons. In certain areas (gastric, ileal and colonic resections etc.), the now widespread return to single thread manual stitches sheds a new light on staplers and reflects the fact that an anastomosis can be performed just as quickly by hand but will be softer and less rigid than a stapled one. It is only in oesophageal and lower rectal surgery that staplers offer a significant advantage, solving problems where hand suturing cannot.