title: Surgical stapling devices in veterinary medicine: a review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review indications, benefits, and complications of surgical stapling in animals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Benefits and complications of surgical stapling depend on the procedure performed. Use of surgical staplers does not improve wound strength but may decrease surgical time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients at significant risk for intraoperative contamination or morbidity from prolonged anesthesia time, use of stapling devices should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996-4544, USA. ktobias@utk.edu
authors.forename: Karen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Tobias
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D013537:Sutures / Q000662:veterinary*; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology