Pursestring placement before transsection of the rectum for facilitating the stapled low colorectal anastomosis

We propose a simple, easy technique to perform a stapled colorectal anastomosis close to the anal sphincter that may help to lower leak rates. This is the same technique used by us for successful performance of intrathoracic and abdominal esophagoenteric mechanical anastomoses. The technique consists of hand sewing a double pursestring suture before sectioning the rectum.