29 mm washers for Anastomosis Staple Gun (in tubular container)
AssociatedAssociated with
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
(Aberdeen, Scotland, founded 1739)
DateC.1978
Object NameWasher
Mediumplastic
ClassificationsMedicine and Healthcare
Dimensions13.6 x 3.6cm (tube)
AcquisitionPresented in 2000 by Morag Middleton.
LocationView by Appointment
Object numberABDMS074029.14
About MeThe "Russian" stapler was introduced to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary about 1978. It was used to perform intestinal anastomosis, the joining of two pieces of intestine( after removal of a tumour). The stapler was inserted in the patient, the two pieces drawn together and as the trigger was pulled to give a circle of staples so also a cutter was operated. This trimmed the internal edges at the intestinal join. The purpose was to achieve a clean even edge which would eliminate the danger of leakage. When the instrument was removed an indication of the success of the join wasgiven by a visual examination of the rings cut from the inside of the intestine. If these were complete and circular it tended to indicate successful use of the stapler. The instrument was cleaned in an autoclave by a theatre nurse, was also loaded by a nurse. The many individual parts which make up the instrument tended to make it both fiddly in use and problematic to clean. Current legislation on sterlising instruments rules out such a design now being used.