Treatment of bleeding varices by oesophageal transection with the SPTU gun.
This paper presents the preliminary results with the SPTU stapling gun for oesophageal transection in the treatment of bleeding oesophageal varices. Porta-systemic shunt was contraindicated in all 12 patients treated, 10 of whom had cirrhosis. Anastomotic leakage and recurrent bleeding were not problems, but stricture formation was, 4 of the 11 survivors requiring dilatation. The average period of follow-up is only 7 months, but early results encourage further trial of the method for the increasing numbers of 'shunt rejects'.
D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D013528:Surgical Staplers