The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 30, 308-312, Copyright © 1980 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Esophagogastrectomy using the auto suture EEA surgical stapling instrument
JS Dorsey, S Esses, M Goldberg and R Stone
A stapling instrument, which creates end-to-end inverting anastomoses, is
described for esophagogastrostomy. The inverted anastomosis is held
together by a double staggered row of stainless-steel wire staples.
Experience with 7 consecutive patients who underwent esophagogastrectomy
for carcinoma of the distal esophagus or proximal stomach using this device
is reported. Postoperative complications included atelectasis in 1 patient,
cardiac failure in 1, and pneumonia in 1. A fibrotic stricture developed at
the anastomotic site 5 months postoperatively in 1 patient. There were no
anastomotic leaks. The stapled anastomosis takes 2 to 3 minutes to perform
and seems to be at least comparable to handsewn anastomoses.