Mechanic or stapled anastomoses of hollow organs represent a safe and
attractive alternative to the manual suture. The rate of complications
for the duodenal stump closure by linear staplers is minimal with lea
kages below 1%; the same is true for the jejunum. In esophagogastrosto
mies which are often performed cervically, the stapler offers more saf
ety compared to manual sutures, but the rate of stenoses is higher wit
h about 15%. Stenoses have been observed especially with smaller magaz
ines (25 mm diameter). For esophagojejunostomies safety is much greate
r with mechanic staplers than with manual sutures. Only most experienc
ed surgeons would achieve the same results with the same low rate of l
eakages of less than 10%; stenoses do not have clinical relevance.