Subtotal colectomy with surgical stapling instruments via a trans-cecal approach for treatment of acquired megacolon in cats.

Surgical stapling equipment was used to perform an end-to-end colonic anastomosis in 15 cats for the treatment of acquired megacolon. An end-to-end stapling device was passed to the anastomotic site by a trans-cecal approach. Subsequent closure of the cecal incision was accomplished with a thoracoabdominal stapling device. Two cats had hemorrhagic episodes immediately after surgery that required blood transfusions. All 15 cats have had good to excellent health after subtotal colectomy and colocolostomy performed using this stapling technique. Results of this study have demonstrated that "single surgical field" placement of the end-to-end stapling device has the primary advantage of simplicity and a lower chance of contamination compared with (dual field) rectal passage of similar devices. Closure of the cecal access incision is easily performed without reducing the diameter of the large intestinal lumen. The stapling technique provided an efficient and consistent method for anastomosis of the large bowel in cats.