LAPAROSCOPIC SIDE-TO-SIDE GASTROJEJUNOSTOMY

Development of laparoscopic stapling devices and growing experience with the new method made resective and reconstructive operations on the digestive system accessible to laparoscopy. After extensively testing the method on pigs, we now report on laparoscopic gastro-jejunostomies performed in two patients for gastric stenosis due to inoperable carcinoma of the pancreas. The technique is described. It requires expensive instruments and a very skilled surgeon. While being a safe procedure in the hands of a well-trained surgeon, it presents a high degree of difficulty. Therefore, in order to avoid complications, it should not be advised for a large scale application before results of a greater number of cases can be presented.