Use of a circular stapler for Billroth I anastomosis after distal gastrectomy.

Staplers are widely used in gastrointestinal surgery. We used a circular stapler to establish gastroduodenal anastomosis after distal gastrectomy in a recent case. After separating the stomach from the duodenum, we anastomosed the posterior wall of the stomach to the duodenum by introducing the circular stapler through the part of the stomach that was to be resected. Then we separated the distal part of the stomach with a linear stapler, and so completed the distal gastric resection. The advantages of this technique are that it is simple and safe.