The double-staple technique in colorectal anastomoses: a critical review

The widespread availability and use of stapling devices have changed colorectal surgery. In 1980, Knight and Griffen developed the "double-staple" technique, using a circular stapler to transect a linear rectal staple line. This eliminated the need for a hand-sewn, distal purse string, which was sometimes difficult or even impossible to accurately place low in the pelvis. To evaluate this procedure, the authors have reviewed their results with the double-staple technique over the past 5 years. One hundred four patients underwent this procedure between 1985 and 1990 at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (Philadelphia, PA). There were 60 men and 44 women, with a mean age of 62.4 years. Seventy-two patients underwent operation for carcinoma of the rectum or sigmoid. Thirty-five of these had preoperative radiation therapy. Other diagnoses included 1) diverticular disease, 2) rectal prolapse, 3) villous adenoma, 4) endometrial carcinoma, 5) fistula, 6) stricture, 7) Crohn's disease, 8) colonic endometriosis, 9) lymphoma, 10) ovarian carcinoma, and 11) ulcerative colitis. Incomplete "donuts" were observed in 5 patients. Diverting colostomies were performed in 23 patients, ileostomies in 3. Postoperative complications relating to the double-staple technique itself included a rectovaginal fistula in 1 patient. There were 3 clinical leaks (2.8%), all treated nonoperatively. No strictures were observed. As previously observed, the authors believe the double-staple technique offers certain advantages over traditional, hand-sewn and stapled anastomoses, for instance: 1) there is significantly less contamination, 2) the anastomosis is technically easier, and 3) bowel segments of different diameters can be easily anastomosed.