[Viscerosynthesis--use of mechanical sutures in digestive tract surgery]

Mechanical suture (stapler) was applied 164 times in digestive surgery in the period from October 1985 to December 1988. There have been performed 82 anastomoses (30 low collateral, 20 esophagointestinal, 20 ileocolic, 10 enteroenteral and 2 colocolic) and 76 closure of intestines. Anastomoses were performed with EEA stapler in 50, GIA stapler in 30 and TA stapler in 2 cases. Intraoperative complications related to the use of stapler were observed in 4.8% cases. Clinically manifested dehiscence of the stapler anastomoses was evident in 4.8% (82) and immediate cause of death in 1.2% (1) case. The incidence of secondary wound infection after four years was 2.4%. No clinically manifested stenosis of anastomoses were observed within the follow up period from one to four years.