title: Stapler failure in pharyngeal diverticulectomy: a suggested modification in surgical technique.
abstract: The use of a mechanical stapling device during excision of a pharyngeal pouch is now becoming more common, and has many advantages including less contamination of the wound by pharyngeal contents and a shorter operating time. The manufacturers recommend dividing the neck of the pouch flush with the stapler before removing the stapler. We report a case where the stapler failed, leaving a larger defect in the pharyngeal wall necessitating a hand sutured closure. We recommend a change in practice: an artery forcep is applied across the pouch distal to the stapler, the stapler is then removed and the staple line inspected before dividing the pouch.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kubba
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Hussain
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004868:Equipment Failure; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013528:Surgical Staplers; D017792:Surgical Stapling / Q000379:methods*; D016672:Zenker Diverticulum / Q000601:surgery*