Joining gut ends of unequal diameter.

A simple, safe and precise method for joining ends of unequal diameter is presented. Very little septum is created by either anterior or posterior rows. The figure-eight seems to crush the septum almost flat on the posterior row and the Halsted's create an absolutely minimal septum anteriorly where they are correctly placed. The posterior row used two layers of submucosa and the anterior one, four layers, and no reliance is placed on the serosa-muscularis layer. This technique is thought to have distinct advantages relative to strength, safety, and minimal septum formation.