One hundred patients with carcinoma of the distal oesophagus or gastric cardia undergoing oesophagogastrectomy were randomized to receive either a stapled or handsewn oesophagogastric anastomosis. Five patients died in the early post-operative period at a mean of 16 days (in-hospital mortality 5%) allowing detailed follow up on the remaining 95 patients who were followed up to death or for a minimum of 36 months. A stapled anastomosis was quicker to perform (P < 0.001), resulting in a shorter operative time (P < 0.005) and was associated with decreased blood loss (P < 0.05). The number of anastomotic leaks, length of in-patient stay, stricture formation and survival in the two groups was not statistically different. A stapled oesophagogastric anastomosis fulfills all of the requirements for routine use in thoracic surgical practice when performing oesophageal resection for carcinoma of the distal oesophagus or gastric cardia. It is quick to perform allowing a shorter operating time and lower blood loss and does not appear to be associated with a previously noted increased incidence of benign anastomotic stricture formation when compared with handsewn anastomoses.