Anastomotic dehiscence after gastrectomy for cancer. Personal series.
OBJECTIVE
Nowadays the risk of anastomotic dehiscence after gastrectomy still exists. So the aim of this study was to analyze our experience regarding these anastomoses.


METHODS
In our Surgical Unit, which is located in the Department of Surgical Sciences, Organ Transplantation and Advanced Technologies of the University of Catania, from January 1st 1985 to December 31st 2000, 249 patients underwent surgery for gastric cancer.


RESULTS
We observed a statistically significant decrease of leaks in the third period of our study.


CONCLUSIONS
These data demonstrate a significant decrease of anastomotic leaks with stapler in comparison to manual anastomoses.
Lanteri
Raffaele
R
Department of Surgical Sciences, Organ Transplantations and Advanced Technologies Catania University, Catania, Italy. lanteri@unict.it
Rapisarda
Cristian
C
Santangelo
Marco
M
Racalbuto
Agostino
A
Di Cataldo
Antonio
A
Licata
Antonio
A
D000713:Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D004947:Esophagus / Q000601:surgery*; D005743:Gastrectomy; D015390:Gastric Bypass; D006801:Humans; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013528:Surgical Staplers; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000209:etiology*; D013536:Suture Techniques