[Controlled study comparing mechanical and manual esophago-jejunostomy following gastrectomy]

40 patients with gastric malignancies were entered into a prospective randomised study of mechanical stapling (EEA) vs. manual single layer suturing of the esophago-jejunostomy following total gastrectomy. The groups were well matched with respect to clinical features, medical risk factors and tumor stage. Following manual technique, no anastomotic leak was observed. In the group with automatic mechanical suturing one technical failure and one insufficiency was seen. This difference, however, is not statistically significant. One patient died (cardiac infarction). The analysis of operating time, morbidity and hospital stay showed no significant differences. These results indicate that by use of a precise standardized conventional suture technique the same security performing an esophago-jejunostomy can be achieved as with mechanical staplers.