RESULTS OF MECHANIC VERSUS MOTORIZED STAPLER USED IN GASTRIC SURGERY: PROSPECTIVE STUDY.

BACKGROUND

Mechanic sutures represent an enormous benefit for digestive surgery in decreasing postoperative complications. Currently, the advantages of motorized stapler are under evaluation.

AIMS

To compare the efficacy of mechanic versus motorized stapler in gastric surgery, analyzing rate of leaks, bleeding, time of stapling, and postoperative complications.

METHODS

Ninety-eight patients were submitted to gastric surgery, divided into three groups: laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) (n=47), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) (n=30), and laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) (n=21). Motorized staplers were employed in 61 patients. The number of firings, number of clips, time of total firings, total time to complete the surgery, and postoperative outcome were recorded in a specific protocol.

RESULTS

Patients submitted to LSG, LRYGB, and LDG recorded a shorter time to complete the procedure and a smaller number of firings were observed using motorized stapler (p<0.0001). No differences were identified regarding the number of clips used in patients submitted to LSG. In the group that used mechanic stapler to complete gastrojejunostomy, jejuno-jejuno-anastomosis, and jejunal transection, it was observed more prolonged time of firing and total time for finishing the procedure (p=0.0001). No intraoperative complications were found comparing the two devices used. Very similar findings were noted in the group of patients undergoing LDG.

CONCLUSIONS

The motorized stapler offers safety and efficacy as demonstrated in prior reports and is relevant since less total time of surgical procedure without intraoperative or postoperative complications were confirmed.