title: [Anastomoses in the upper gastrointestinal tract].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anastomotic leaks are the major postoperative complications mainly due to technical difficulties. The aim was to review anastomotic techniques and risk factors for leak development.
  
  
  METHODS
  A Pubmed search was performed using the terms esophagogastric/esophagojejunal anastomosis, gastrojejunostomy, gastric bypass, esophagectomy, anastomotic leak/risk factors, gastrectomy, TEA, fluid management, early enteral feeding and reinforcement. English and German literature sources were included with the accent on recent prospective randomized controlled trials (pRCT) with high numbers of cases as well as meta-analyses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is not enough evidence to recommend either hand sewn or mechanical anastomoses. Surgical skills and routine as well as precise work are necessary to reduce complications. Although stapling leads to uniformity of anastomoses it cannot compensate for surgical deficits.
authors.affiliation: Universitätsklinik für Chirurgie, Medizinische Universität Wien, AKH Wien, Österreich.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schwameis
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zacherl
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D057868:Anastomotic Leak / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D002983:Clinical Competence; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D017792:Surgical Stapling; D015996:Survival Rate; D013536:Suture Techniques; D041742:Upper Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000601:surgery*