Vascularity of gastrointestinal staple lines demonstrated with silicone rubber injection.

Gastrointestinal stapling devices were applied across canine small intestine, and then the blood supply of the stapled segments was immediately filled with silicone rubber. After tissue clearing and microdissection, the outstanding vascularity of the staple lines was clearly demonstrated. The B configuration of the closed staple allows blood vessels of substantial size to pass through it. This might make staple technique especially advantageous whenever vascularity is critical.