Echelon Flex GST Staple Reloads: Color and Size Selection Guide
Ethicon Echelon Flex GST reloads are color-coded by staple height to match tissue thickness: white (thin/vascular), blue (regular), gold (medium), green (thick), and black (extra-thick). The number in the code — 60 or 45 — is the staple line length in millimeters. Choosing the right reload means matching the color to your tissue and the length to the transection.
What do the Echelon GST reload colors mean?
Each Echelon Flex GST reload uses a color to signal its staple height, and that height is matched to a tissue-thickness range. Taller staples are designed for thicker tissue; shorter staples for thin or vascular structures. The suffix letter in the part number is the color code.
| Reload | Color | Approx. open staple height | Designed tissue thickness |
|---|---|---|---|
| GST60W | White | ~2.5 mm | Thin / vascular |
| GST60B / GST45B | Blue | ~3.5 mm | Regular |
| GST60D | Gold | ~3.8 mm | Medium |
| GST60G | Green | ~4.1 mm | Thick |
| GST60T | Black | ~4.2 mm | Extra-thick |
Staple heights are approximate and vary by configuration. Always confirm the exact specification against the manufacturer's current Instructions for Use (IFU) before clinical selection.
What does the number in the reload code mean?
The number is the staple line length in millimeters. A GST60 reload delivers a 60 mm staple line; a GST45 reload delivers a 45 mm line. Longer reloads suit wider transections and faster division across larger structures, while 45 mm reloads work better in confined spaces where a full 60 mm line will not fit.
How do you choose the right Echelon reload?
Match the color to the tissue thickness first, then the length to the anatomy. When tissue thickness sits between two categories, the taller staple is generally the safer default because under-sizing the staple on thick tissue risks an incomplete formation. The "GST" designation refers to Gripping Surface Technology, the textured reload surface that helps reduce tissue movement during firing.
Are Echelon GST reloads compatible with every Echelon stapler?
Echelon Flex GST reloads are built for the Echelon Flex powered stapler platform. Compatibility depends on the specific handle and shaft generation, so verify the reload against your exact device model. You can review the available reloads and confirm details on each product page in our Stapler Reloads collection.
Frequently asked questions
What color is the GST60T reload? The GST60T is the black reload, designed for extra-thick tissue, with a 60 mm staple line.
What is the difference between GST60B and GST45B? Both are blue (regular-tissue) reloads. The only difference is staple line length: GST60B is 60 mm and GST45B is 45 mm.
Which Echelon reload is used for vascular or thin tissue? The white reload (e.g., GST60W) has the shortest staple height and is intended for thin and vascular tissue.
What does GST stand for on Ethicon reloads? GST stands for Gripping Surface Technology, the textured reload surface that helps hold tissue in place during stapling.
Where to buy Echelon Flex GST reloads
BKMedStore carries Echelon Flex GST reloads across white, blue, gold, green, and black in 45 mm and 60 mm lengths. Browse current availability in the Stapler Reloads collection or the broader Staplers, Sealers and Cutters collection.
