MECHANICAL ANASTOMOSES IN ESOPHAGOJEJUNOSTOMY

The surgical technique of esophagojejunostomy in total gastrectomy using a machine is reported and its advantage and safety was compared with anastomosis by hand, performed during the same period. Provided that usage of the machine was well learned and that surgical procedure was carefully performed, the following advantages were obtained in esophagojejunostomy. 1. It facilitates the shortening of surgical time, thus resulting in expected relief of surgical stress. 2. It allows the positive performance of surgery with higher curability such as excision combined with other organs. 3. The volume of transfusion can be decreased as the volume of hemorrhage is small. 4. It facilitates the positive performance of total gastrectomy even for poor risk patients such as those advanced in age and those with complications in the heart, etc. 5. The incidence of postoperative complications such as suture failure is low.