title: Use of gastrointestinal anastomosis stapler for harvest of gracilis muscle and securing it in the face for facial reanimation: a novel technique.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The primary objective of this study is to report a novel technique that uses the gastrointestinal anastomosis (GIA) stapler for harvesting and securing the gracilis muscle in facial reanimation surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective chart review with 18 consecutive patients who underwent gracilis muscle flap transfer with or without the use of a GIA stapler.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 11 operations with the GIA stapler, one patient developed a hematoma (donor site) and another required drainage of an abscess (recipient site). Of 8 operations without the use of the stapler, one patient had total flap failure and three required drainage of an abscess (2 recipient sites and 1 donor site). These differences trended toward improvement but were not statistically different.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of the GIA stapler is a fast, safe technique. Larger studies are, however, warranted to further examine this novel approach in order to test precisely what factors of increased efficiency occur, the amount of suture pull-through, and overall tension capable of being applied to the secured staple line.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Sachin M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Shridharani
authors.forename: Sahael M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Stapleton
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Redett
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Magarakis
authors.forename: Gedge D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Rosson
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