[Use of mechanical suture in anterior resection of the rectum]

Anterior resection of carcinoma of the rectum was carried out in 129 patients. Hand-sutured anastomoses were formed in 73 and stapled anastomoses in 56 patients. There were 7 leaks after sutured anastomoses (9.6%) and 2 leaks after stapled anastomoses (3.57%). No late leaks or strictures were encountered in either group. Stapled anastomoses are advantageous for the following reasons: they are standardized; they can be created at a lower level than those formed by hand sutures, thus avoiding abdominoperineal resection in many patients; the incidence of anastomotic leakage is lower; time is saved. The EEA stapler is recommended for routine use in anastomoses of the rectum.