Esophagojejunostomy with the EEA stapler

Esophagojejunostomy after total gastrectomy was attempted in 27 operations with the EEA stapling device (U.S. Surgical Corp., Norwalk, Conn.). After removal of the specimen the anastomosis is performed with an end-to-side technique with insertion of the cartridge and its central rod through the open jejunal end. The 28 mm wide cartridge was used in 24 anastomoses and the 25 mm wide cartridge was used in two. In one case the 25 mm cartridge tore the distal esophagus, and the anastomosis had to be sutured manually. The median operation time was 305 minutes (range, 205 to 560 minutes), and the time to perform the anastomosis was 20 minutes (range, 15 to 60 minutes). Anastomotic leakage occurred in three patients, two of whom were stapled with the 25 mm cartridge. All healed with conservative treatment. One patient developed a stricture at the anastomotic site due to recurrence of the tumor. There was one hospital death. Median hospital stay was 16 days (range, 8 to 71 days) and median survival time was 11 months. It is concluded that the EEA stapler allows the construction of a fast and reliable esophagojejunostomy with good functional results after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer.