Surgical stapling of large intestines.

Surgical stapling instruments can be used to perform end-to-end anastomoses in the colon and rectum. A new method of colonic anastomosis is described for cats with acquired forms of megacolon. Alternative approaches for performing colonic anastomoses are described in humans and in large dogs which can be used for colonic resections of focal nature as well as for subtotal colectomy. Advantages and disadvantages of surgical stapling instruments in the large intestine are reviewed.