The stapled functional end-to-end anastomosis following colonic resection.

To determine the results of our experience with the use of staples for construction of anastomoses following colonic resection, a series of 223 anastomoses performed in 205 patients was reviewed. Indications for operation included malignancy, benign neoplasms, inflammatory bowel disease, and several miscellaneous entities. A functional end-to-end anastomosis using the standard GIA cartridge and the TA 55 instruments was performed. The operative mortality was 1.5% with none of the deaths related to the anastomosis. Intraoperative complications encountered included bleeding (21), leak (1), tissue fracture (1), instrument failure (4), and technical error (3). Early postoperative complications related or potentially related to the anastomosis included bleeding (5), pelvic abscess (1), fistula (1), peritonitis (2), ischemia of anastomosis (1). Late complications included five patients with small bowel obstruction, two of whom required operation. Anastomotic recurrences developed in 5.9% of patients. Our experience gained with stapling instruments has shown them to be a reliable method for performing anastomoses in the colon in a safe and expeditious manner.