[Development of the mechanical suture and comparison with the manual suture in surgery].

Mechanical sutures in surgery were first used in 1908 by Hültl. Since then they have found a large field of application in thoracic and abdominal surgery because of their ease in handling and consequent reduction of duration of operation, as well as reduction of contamination from hollow organs. Safety, diminished tissue trauma and early function of anastomotic continuity are other advantages that recommend the use of staplers over hand sutures.