Simple technique for anvil insertion in stapled circular colorectal anastomoses.

The benefits of circular stapling devices are obvious. The introduction of staplers with detachable anvils has simplified the stapling procedure even more than the original instruments. A simple technique for placing the anvil and pursestring are described.

Transanal rectovaginal fistula repair.

In this update, 15 additional successful transanal repairs followed for one to six years postoperatively for low rectovaginal fistulas without colostomies are added to the uniformly successful 20 patients presented in a 1978 report. Changes in perioperative routines have greatly enhanced cost efficiency and these modifications are enumerated. The repair still encompasses total excision of the epithelialized fistula, and reapproximation of the attenuated septal fibers and anal sphincter mechanism, as well as the caudad rectal mucosal advancement that covers and protects the repair from the fecal stream and the high intraluminal pressures of defecation. Once again, we have excluded inflammatory, neoplastic, and irradiation-caused fistulas from this discussion, although we, as well as others, have applied this technique in selected cases.

Anastomotic recurrences after low anterior resection. Stapled vs. hand-sewn.

A retrospective study was done comparing the rates of local recurrence in cancer of the rectum treated by low anterior resection using the stapling device or hand-sewn. It was found that there was no increase in recurrences when the stapler was used, even though lower lesions were treated.

Glucagon, a useful adjunct in anastomosis with a stapling device.

Spasm of the proximal sigmoid colon has been a major hindrance in the use of the EEA stapler in low anterior resections. Intravenous glucagon, by causing rapid relaxation and hypotonicity of the sigmoid colon, appears to help correct this problem and allows for a safer and more atraumatic anastomosis.