New Device for the Introduction of a Circular Stapler in Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Surgery

Background: In laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP) surgery, the anastomosis between the gastric pouch and the jejunum can be performed using a circular stapler, as described in the original publication by Wittgrove in 1994. The introduction of the circular stapler through the thick abdominal wall in morbidly obese patients can be challenging. To overcome the difficulties of this task, a new device was developed and its use is presented. Method: The new device has the shape of a trocar tip which can be mounted on the circular stapler, giving it the properties of a trocar. Therefore, easier introduction into the abdominal cavity is feasible. The use of the device was assessed analyzing the data of a prospective database, comparing patient groups operated without the device (n=301) and patients operated with the device (n=100). Results: The groups were comparable in age, sex, BMI and number of previous abdominal operations. The wound infection rate at the site of stapler introduction decreased from 6.6% to 1% (P=0.035). The overall operating time, hospital stay and complication rate were unchanged. Conclusion: The new device proved to be useful in daily practice and enabled an easier stapler introduction with fewer wound infections.