[Overview of surgical stapling devices].

Surgical stapler allows surgeons to do simultaneous cut and suture quickly in excellent quality. Surgical stapler is currently used widely and has become indispensable tool for thoracic surgery, especially for endoscopic surgery such as thoracoscopic lung lobectomy, although there was some reluctance for use at the dawn of the era of mechanical stapling device. Devices should be used for right place in right manner. There are various kinds of stapling devices and surgeons should follow manufactures' instruction appropriately to avoid possible malfunctions of the devices. Surgeons must be aware of possible risks in use of stapling devices and must learn pitfalls. Stapling devices do and will continue to be evolved, and surgeons have to keep the know-how updated.