RESULTS OF MECHANIC VERSUS MOTORIZED STAPLER USED IN GASTRIC SURGERY: PROSPECTIVE STUDY.

Background: Mechanic sutures represent an enormous benefit for digestive surgery in decreasing postoperative complications. Currently, the advantages of motorized stapler are under evaluation.

Aims: To compare the efficacy of mechanic versus motorized stapler in gastric surgery, analyzing rate of leaks, bleeding, time of stapling, and postoperative complications.

Methods: Ninety-eight patients were submitted to gastric surgery, divided into three groups: laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) (n=47), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) (n=30), and laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) (n=21). Motorized staplers were employed in 61 patients. The number of firings, number of clips, time of total firings, total time to complete the surgery, and postoperative outcome were recorded in a specific protocol.

Results: Patients submitted to LSG, LRYGB, and LDG recorded a shorter time to complete the procedure and a smaller number of firings were observed using motorized stapler (p<0.0001). No differences were identified regarding the number of clips used in patients submitted to LSG. In the group that used mechanic stapler to complete gastrojejunostomy, jejuno-jejuno-anastomosis, and jejunal transection, it was observed more prolonged time of firing and total time for finishing the procedure (p=0.0001). No intraoperative complications were found comparing the two devices used. Very similar findings were noted in the group of patients undergoing LDG.

Conclusions: The motorized stapler offers safety and efficacy as demonstrated in prior reports and is relevant since less total time of surgical procedure without intraoperative or postoperative complications were confirmed.