Comparison of manually constructed and stapled anastomoses in colorectal surgery. West of Scotland and Highland Anastomosis Study Group

Abstract

Objective: The authors compared both the initial and the long-term outcomes of patients undergoing stapled and sutured colorectal anastomoses.

Summary background data: Sutured and stapled large bowel anastomoses are perceived to be equally safe, but concern has been raised about increased rates of tumor recurrence with the use of stapling instruments.

Methods: The outcome of patients with sutured and stapled colorectal anastomoses were compared in a prospective, multicenter, randomized study. Factors affecting long-term outcomes were assessed by both univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results: Seven hundred thirty-two patients were recruited. There was a significant increase in radiologic leakage in the sutured group (14.4% vs. 5.2%, p < 0.05), but there was no difference in clinical anastomotic leak rates, morbidity, or postoperative mortality. Tumor recurrence and cancer-specific mortality were higher in the sutured patients (7.5% and 6.7%, respectively) and in patients with anastomotic leaks.

Conclusions: This study shows that suturing or stapling are equally safe in large bowel surgery. However, it also shows a long-term benefit of stapling in colorectal cancer patients.