Increasing the efficacy of gastric operations for the control of morbid obesity.

Based upon observations with double application of the TA90 surgical stapler in a stapled-in-continuity gastroplasty, we recommend a double application of gastric partitioning in the treatment of morbid obesity. The staple application should be closer than 0.5 cm or at least 2.0 cm apart to prevent necrosis of the intervening stomach. Division of the stomach between two staple applications with oversewing of the cut edges would preclude either staple line disruption or the danger of necrosis in the stomach intervening between stapler applications.