Treatment of bleeding varices by oesophageal transection with the SPTU gun
Johnston, G.W.
Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England 59(5): 404-408
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0035-8843 PMID: 302665 Document Number: 110089
The preliminary results with the SPTU stapling gun for esophageal transection in the treatment of bleeding esophageal varices were presented. Portal-systemic shunt was contraindicated in all 12 patients treated, 10 of whom had cirrhosis. Anastomotic leakage and recurrent bleeding were not problems, but stricture formation was, 4 of the 11 survivors requiring dilatation. The average period of follow-up is only 7 mo., but early results encourage further trial of the method for the increasing numbers of shunt rejects.