Since its introduction, stapling has gained considerable interest in colon surgery. The double stapling technique is a further development. From 1984 to 1989, 110 low anterior resections were performed at the Department of General Surgery, University of Goettingen. In 73 patients anastomosis was performed by double stapling; in 37 cases the EEA stapler was used. The double stapling group had an insufficiency rate of 2.7% compared with 5.4% in the EEA group. Another useful indication for stapler techniques is a reconstructive operation according to the Hartmann procedure. In none of 43 such interventions between 1983 and 1988 was insufficiency of the anastomosis seen. Another useful employment of staplers is construction of colonic reservoirs after proctocolectomy.