[Manual suture versus/or mechanical suture (from the Italian viewpoint)]

Area of Science:

• Gastrointestinal surgery
• Surgical techniques
• Oncology

Background:

• Mechanical suturing is gaining prevalence in Italy for gastrointestinal anastomoses.
• It is often employed for difficult-to-access sites like low pelvis or high chest surgeries.
• Manual suturing remains common for simpler anastomoses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the adoption and experience with mechanical suturing in gastrointestinal surgery in Italy.
• To compare the use of mechanical versus manual suturing techniques.
• To assess the impact of mechanical suturing on surgical outcomes, particularly in rectal cancer surgery.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of surgical procedures involving mechanical suturing.
• Data collection on types of anastomoses (colorectal, ileorectal, ileoanal) and surgical sites.
• Comparison of mechanical suturing use in relation to manual techniques.

Main Results:

• Mechanical suturing is widely adopted, especially for colorectal, ileorectal, and ileoanal anastomoses.
• The technique is predominantly used for challenging anastomoses in the pelvis and chest.
• Positive surgical experiences are noted, correlating with an increase in conservative rectal resections and a decrease in the Miles operation.

Conclusions:

• Mechanical suturing is a valuable and increasingly utilized tool in gastrointestinal surgery.
• Its application in difficult anastomoses contributes to improved surgical outcomes and potentially less invasive procedures.
• Further experience supports the positive impact of mechanical suturing in rectal cancer management.