Surgical Stapler Reloads Explained: Linear, Circular, and Robotic
Surgical stapler reloads fall into three main families: linear cutter reloads (such as the Ethicon Echelon GST series), circular stapler reloads (such as the Ethicon CDH series, sized by diameter), and robotic reloads (such as the Intuitive SureForm series for da Vinci platforms). Each is selected by tissue thickness, length or diameter, and the stapling platform it fits.
What are the main types of surgical stapler reloads?
Reloads are grouped by the kind of staple line they create and the device that fires them. Linear cutters lay down parallel staple rows and divide tissue between them; circular staplers form a ring of staples for anastomoses; robotic reloads bring stapling to robotic-assisted platforms. Matching the reload type to the procedure is the first selection step.
| Reload type | Example series | Selected by |
|---|---|---|
| Linear cutter | Echelon GST | Color (tissue thickness) + length (45/60 mm) |
| Circular | Ethicon CDH | Diameter (mm) |
| Robotic | Intuitive SureForm | Color (tissue thickness) + length (45/60 mm) |
How do you choose a linear cutter reload?
Linear cutter reloads such as the Echelon Flex GST series are chosen by color (which maps to tissue thickness) and by staple-line length. The color suffix runs from white for thin tissue through blue, gold, and green to black for extra-thick tissue, while the number indicates 45 mm or 60 mm. For example, GST60T is a 60 mm black reload for extra-thick tissue and GST45B is a 45 mm blue reload for regular tissue.
How are circular staplers sized?
Circular staplers are sized by their outer diameter in millimeters, and the number in the part code reflects that diameter. The Ethicon CDH series is a common example: CDH25P is 25 mm, CDH29P is 29 mm, and CDH31P is 31 mm. Larger diameters create a wider anastomotic ring; the right size depends on the lumen and the surgeon's technique.
What are robotic stapler reloads?
Robotic reloads are designed for robotic-assisted platforms such as the da Vinci system. The Intuitive SureForm line uses a color-and-length system similar to linear cutters: 48360B and 48360G are 60 mm reloads, and 48345T is a 45 mm reload, with the color indicating tissue thickness. These reloads only fit the robotic stapler they are designed for, so platform compatibility is essential.
How do you avoid choosing the wrong reload?
Confirm three things before purchase: the platform (the exact stapler or robotic system the reload fits), the tissue match (color for linear and robotic reloads, diameter for circular), and the expiration date. Reloads are not interchangeable across platforms, and an in-date reload that matches both the device and the tissue is what ensures a reliable staple line. When in doubt, confirm against the manufacturer IFU.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a linear and circular stapler reload? A linear cutter reload creates parallel staple rows and divides tissue between them; a circular stapler forms a ring of staples used for anastomoses and is sized by diameter.
What does the number in CDH25P, CDH29P, and CDH31P mean? The number is the circular stapler's outer diameter in millimeters — 25 mm, 29 mm, and 31 mm respectively.
Are SureForm reloads compatible with handheld staplers? No. Intuitive SureForm reloads are designed for robotic-assisted platforms and are not interchangeable with handheld linear staplers.
How do I pick the right reload color? Match the color to the tissue thickness: white for thin or vascular tissue, blue for regular, gold for medium, green for thick, and black for extra-thick.
Where to buy surgical stapler reloads
BKMedStore carries linear, circular, and robotic reloads from Ethicon, Covidien, and Intuitive. Browse current availability in the Stapler Reloads collection and the Staplers, Sealers and Cutters collection.
