[Is in esophago-intestinal anastomosis the use of mechanical staplers an advantage?]

Sixty-seven consecutive esophageal anastomoses were performed in a period from 1984 to 1987. 35 esophagoenterostomies performed in manual single layer suturing were compared with 32 esophagoenterostomies using mechanical stapling. After manual suturing there was a leak in 8.6%. After mechanical suturing anastomotic failure was seen in 6.2%. The analysis of mortality and morbidity indicate the use of mechanical staplers as a favorable alternative.