A Comparative Study of Sutured and Stapled Anastomosis in Gastrointestinal Operations

Background: Restoring intestinal continuity after partial enterectomy and/or colectomy is central to gastrointestinal surgery. In recent years, mechanical stapling devices have improved and become more versatile so that many surgeons now consider stapling technique as best alternate method of anastomosis to suture technique, for speed, safety, efficiency and easy access. Materials and Methods: This study included 50 patients; 25 of them were treated by the conventional suture method. The study group included 25 patients in whom anastomosis was done by stapling technique. The two groups were compared on various intraoperative and postoperative fronts. Results: Duration of procedure was lesser in cases of stapled anastomosis. Postoperative appearance of bowel sounds and thus resumption of oral feeding was earlier after stapled anastomosis. Conclusion: Thus, stapling technique can be used safely and effectively as a part of the modern surgeon's armory and one should be equally adept with a stapler gun as with needle-holder and suture.