[Digestive reconstruction using mechanical staplers after total gastrectomy].

From 1980 up to nowadays, after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer, the intestinal continuity was assured by oesophago-jejunostomy and oesophago-duodenoplasty using stapling devices. Two patients died for causes not related to the technique, and other two patients developed a stenosis of the oesophago-jejunostomy, which was easily managed by endoscopic dilatation. In one patient a partial dehiscence of the oesophago-jejuno-anastomosis was treated by total parenteral nutrition. The Authors have systematically adopted mechanical sutures after total gastrectomy. However, possible intraoperative accidents and complications should not be underestimated, although most of them may be due to the operator's inexperience or stapler misuse.