BACKGROUND: The double-stapling technique (DST) is frequently used in laparoscopic sigmoidectomy. Unfortunately, anastomotic leakage after laparoscopic intracorporeal colorectal anastomosis with DST is seen with some frequency. METHODS: We performed DST on 40 patients (June 2007 to August 2008) and hemi-DST on 50 patients (September 2008 to December 2011) undergoing laparoscopic sigmoidectomy. RESULTS: There were no occurrences of anastomotic leakage in the hemi-DST group, and 2 instances of anastomotic leakage in the DST group were observed. In these patients, the leakage appeared at the lateral intersecting anastomotic margins. CONCLUSIONS: Using the hemi-DST for laparoscopic intracorporeal colorectal anastomosis will make laparoscopic sigmoidectomy a safer procedure.
BACKGROUND: The double-stapling technique (DST) is frequently used in laparoscopic sigmoidectomy. Unfortunately, anastomotic leakage after laparoscopic intracorporeal colorectal anastomosis with DST is seen with some frequency. METHODS: We performed DST on 40 patients (June 2007 to August 2008) and hemi-DST on 50 patients (September 2008 to December 2011) undergoing laparoscopic sigmoidectomy. RESULTS: There were no occurrences of anastomotic leakage in the hemi-DST group, and 2 instances of anastomotic leakage in the DST group were observed. In these patients, the leakage appeared at the lateral intersecting anastomotic margins. CONCLUSIONS: Using the hemi-DST for laparoscopic intracorporeal colorectal anastomosis will make laparoscopic sigmoidectomy a safer procedure.