Early postoperative results with EEA stapler.

This study of 106 patients who had end-to-end anastomoses (EEA) performed by 26 surgeons in 11 hospitals reports the operative and postoperative complications of using the EEA stapling device. The complications are probably exaggerated, because this study involves the initial experiences of many surgeons. The 106 patients included 78 patients with colon anastomoses, 3 with small intestinal anastomoses, and 25 with gastric anastomoses. The mortality rate included two patients (1.9%) with low rectal anastomoses who died of problems associated with the EEA stapler. The anastomotic morbidity rate included 9 operative complications (9%), which were corrected at operation, and 12 postoperative complications (11%), which included leaks (4), fistula (4), and stenosis (4). Intra-abdominal abscess occurred in 3 and wound infections in 19 patients (18%). The EEA stapler requires practice and specific skills for its safe use. The EEA stapler makes a reliable, inverted anastomosis and can be used successfully throughout the gastrointestinal tract.