[Value of circular mechanical colon and rectum anastomosis. Prospective study of 91 patients]

A prospective study was carried out on 91 patients to evaluate colonic and rectal anastomoses constructed with an EEA stapling gun. The concept comprises the following: orthograde lavage, cecal fistula or colostomy, intraoperative sufficiency control of the anastomosis, intraoperative direct measurement of the height of the anastomosis, postoperative X-ray control of the anastomosis using standardized techniques, classification of the cases into three groups according to the height of the anastomosis: 3-5 cm, and over 9 cm. Characterization of the patients was accomplished biostatistically using the Median-Quartil system. Primary hospital letality of 2% was due to heart failure. Imparied wound healing occurred in 11%. Secondary suture dehiscence was roentgenologically identified in a total of 18% of which only 7% showed clinical symptoms. Stenosis was determined by X-ray in 11% with only 1% demonstrating a temporary clinical correlation. For especially low rectal anastomoses at 3-5 cm the EEA stapling gun appears to have a great technical advantage over hand-placed sutures, allowing extension of indications for low anastomoses.