[Our experience in the use of mechanical staplers in the execution of step-by-step subtotal gastrectomy].
The Authors describe their reconstruction technique after a "step" gastric resection for peptic or neoplastic pathology. The use of staplers such as TA 30 or GIA for the duodenum is reported. After skeletonizing the lesser curve up to the cardias by sectioning the left gastric artery at its origin and up to the penultimate short vessel on the greater curve, the stomach is resected distally to this two points using a TA90 staplers. So it is possible to remove the greater part of the acid-secreting area in order to avoid ulcers of the anastomosis or of the gastric stump, and also to achieve a complete lymphadenectomy in case of neoplasm. Then a Roux-en-Y gastro-jejunal anastomosis is performed using an EEA28 circular stapler. The jejunal stump is closed with a TA30. Finally, a manual jejuno-jejunal anastomosis is made at least at 50 cm from the previous one. From November 1987 to January 1989, 13 patients were operated: 9 for peptic ulcer and 4 for antrum neoplasms. There were no complications during and after the operations. Mortality was 0%. The patient, usually starts eating on the 6th or 7th day after operation, and is discharged on the 10th day. After 6 months an EGD scopy is required: the 8 performed till now have demonstrated excellent anastomosis and no peptic lesions. Scintigraphic evaluations and pH monitoring are still in course to define the gastric stump acid secretion and the absence of biliary reflux.