Single layer anastomosis in the gastrointestinal tract.

Anastomotic leakage, often followed by serious morbidity or death, is an important complication of resection of the intestine. If surgical technique and judgment are sound, anastomotic leakage seldom occurs. In 205 elective, single layer anastomoses of stomach to duodenum, of small intestine, of colon and of colorectum, clinically apparent leakage did not occur except in one of 52 patients after colorectal anastomosis. After resection of the intestine performed as an emergency procedure, anastomotic leakage occurred but was infrequent and could clearly be attributed to poor judgment or technique. The results are presented to support a conviction that anastomotic leakage need seldom occur if surgical technique and judgment are sound and to draw attention anew to the efficacy and safety of single layer anastomosis.