Patent ID: 8029520

Claim:
A method for performing trans-anal resection, comprising: applying a first stitch about the rectum along a predetermined arc, wherein deep bites of the first stitch capture and fold a rectum wall; creating a longitudinal staple line in the rectal wall at a position adjacent the first stitch; positioning a curved surgical stapler instrument in the rectum for capturing the rectal wall held by the first stitch; firing the surgical stapler instrument creating a circumferential first staple line approximately along the arc defined by the first stitch; applying a second stitch about the rectum along a predetermined arc beginning at an end of the first staple line, wherein deep bites of the second stitch capture and fold a rectum wall; creating a longitudinal staple line in the rectal wall at a position adjacent the second stitch; positioning a curved surgical stapler instrument in the rectum for capturing the rectal wall held by the second stitch; firing the surgical stapler instrument creating a circumferential second staple line approximately along the arc defined by the second stitch; applying a junction suture at a junction of the first staple line and the second staple line; and repeating the steps of applying, positioning and firing about the circumference of the rectum until a predetermined portion of the rectum is fully resected.