title: Treatment of bleeding varices by oesophageal transection with the SPTU gun.
abstract: 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'.
mesh_terms: 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