[Staplers in colon surgery (author's transl)].

Stapled ileocolic and colocolic anastomoses can compete with those conventionally handmade. The advantages and disadvantages of the Russian and American EEA staplers are compared. An investigation in 44 German hospitals showed a breakdown of the anastomosis in anterior resection in 11.9%; half of these cases were symptomatic. Although we observed a narrowing of the anastomosis roentgenologically in 15%, it became only clinically relevant in a few cases. With the staplers the duration of the operation can be reduced. Although colostomy is not recommended because the anastomosis eventually shrinks, very deep colorectal anastomoses are now possible with these devices.