[Circular staple anastomoses in the gastrointestinal tract with the staplers SPTU and EEA]

In 72 patients, 80 circular stapler anastomoses have been performed in the whole gastrointestinal tract of them, 39 were created by means of the Russian SPTU stapler with a single row of staples and 41 were performed with the American Auto-Suture EEA stapler, which employs a double row of staples. Three patients died because of anastomotic leakage (4.17%) and one myocardial infarction (overall mortality: 5.56%). The use of circular staplers lowers the incidence of anastomotic dehiscence, shortens the operating time and enlarges the operative possibilities, particularly in esophageal and rectal surgery. Since application of these staplers may be difficult, this, like any other surgical technique, must be trained.