title: Colorectal anastomosis by transanal end-to-end stapling.
abstract: In 26 patients end-to-end colorectal anastomosis was attempted using a transanal stapling instrument. The anastomosis was successful in 19 patients. Permanent colostomy would have been the only alternative treatment in 12 patients. In five patients, other sphincter-saving methods of anastomosis would have been technically feasible but more difficult and hazardous. In the remaining two patients standard sutures or side-to-side stapling could have been used equally easily. The technique of anastomosis, the complications and the functional results are reviewed. The authors conclude that transanal end-to-end stapled anastomosis is an important technical advance in colorectal surgery.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003106:Colon / Q000601:surgery*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D003672:Defecation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012007:Rectum / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D013528:Surgical Staplers; D013536:Suture Techniques