title: Modified technique of stapled esophagojejunostomy without a purse-string suture.
abstract: Placement of a purse-string suture during a stapled esophagojejunostomy following total gastrectomy is a technically demanding and time consuming procedure. Improper placement of the purse-string suture can lead to anastamotic breakdown with its associated complications. We describe a technique of stapled esophagojejunostomy without using a purse-string suture. We used this technique in 35 patients including 4 patients who underwent an extended total gastrectomy. We encountered a difficulty only in one patient due to malfunction of the stapler. None of the patients had an anastamotic leak. The modified technique of stapled esophagojejunostomy without a purse-string suture makes the procedure more easy, safe and simple.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Oncology, Cancer Institute (WIA), No.18, Sardar Patel road, Chennai, 600036 India.
authors.forename: Ramakrishnan Ayloor
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Seshadri
authors.forename: Siddappa K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Thammaiah
authors.forename: Venktesh
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vaidhyalingam