Stapling instruments in upper gastrointestinal surgery: a retrospective study of 362 cases.

A retrospective review of 362 upper gastrointestinal operations performed over a 6-year period was undertaken. The incidences of complications following the use of stapling instruments (Autosuture) or the use of conventional anastomotic techniques were compared. Complications considered to be related to anastomotic techniques were: leak or bleeding from the suture line or the development of intra-abdominal or wound sepsis. The complication rates were 21 per cent for operations using conventional suturing techniques and 16 per cent for operations in which the stapling instruments were employed.