Objective  To compare the effect of circular stapler and linear stapler in digestive tract reconstruction by Billroth Ⅱ anastomosis after distal gastric cancer surgery.

  Methods  A total of 80 patients with radical distal subtotal gastrectomy were selected and randomly divided into stapler group A (n=40) and stapler group B (n=40). Circular stapler and linear stapler were used to reconstruct digestive tract in stapler group A and stapler group B respectively. The operation related indexes, recovery time of gastrointestinal function, hospitalization and incidence rate of complications were compared between the two groups.

  Results  There were no significant differences in operation time, intra-operative blood loss, lymph node dissection, hospitalization time and hospitalization expenses between the two groups (P>0.05). The time to first exhaustion and the time to first meal in stapler group B were significantly shorter than those in stapler group A (P < 0.05). There was no anastomotic leakage or duodenal stump fistula in both groups. There were no significant differences in the incidence rates of anastomotic bleeding, anastomotic stenosis, intra-peritoneal infection, gastric emptying disorder and total complications between the two groups (P>0.05).

  Conclusion  Circular stapler and linear stapler are safe and effective in digestive tract reconstruction after distal gastric cancer operation, but linear stapler has more advantages in recovery of gastrointestinal function after operation.