[Mechanical suture during resection of the rectum through the abdomen (author's transl)]

A mechanical suture using the URSS PKZ 28 or SPTU stapler was used in 30 low colo-rectal anastomoses. There were two deaths related to anastomotic complications. It is safe to establish a colostomy when the colon is not well prepared. Fistulae are frequent after palliative operations: this is a poor indication. Local recurrences are no more frequent with stapling than with manual suture.