title: Technical considerations for transabdominal loading of the circular stapler in laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is being undertaken with increasing frequency. We describe a technique for introducing the anvil of the circular stapler using a totally transabdominal approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in a university-affiliated teaching hospital.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cardiojejunostomy was constructed in all 100 patients using the circular stapler with no complications. No anastomotic leaks were detected postoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The totally transabdominal approach for introducing the anvil of the circular stapler into the gastric pouch is safe and feasible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Interdisciplinary Obesity Treatment Group, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA. mmurr@hsc.usf.edu
authors.forename: Michel M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Murr
authors.forename: Scott F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Gallagher
mesh_terms: D000713:Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y / Q000379:methods*; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D015390:Gastric Bypass / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007582:Jejunostomy; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D013270:Stomach / Q000601:surgery; D013528:Surgical Staplers; D017792:Surgical Stapling / Q000379:methods*