Use of the double-stapling technique in esophageal surgery.

This study was conducted to examine the effectiveness of the double-stapling technique (DST) for performing esophageal anastomoses. A total of 17 patients, 10 with esophageal cancer and 7 with gastric cancer, underwent esophageal anastomosis employing this technique. Of the ten patients who underwent esophageal operations, eight received esophageal-gastric tube anastomosis, one esophageal-colon and colon-residual stomach anastomosis, and one pharyngeal-gastric tube anastomosis, while all seven of the patients who underwent operations for gastric cancer received esophagojejunostomy. Thus, a total of 18 anastomoses were performed. No problems were encountered during the anastomoses, and no leakage occurred in any of the patients. Thus, we conclude that DST is a safe and easy technique for performing esophageal anastomosis, especially intrathoracic or intramediastinal anastomoses.