Dexon: an excellent suture for midline incisions.

In a period of 18 months, 100 midline incisions of 93 patients were closed with interrupted 0 Dexon sutures. The Smead-Jones far-and-near stitch was used. There were no early disruptions and no incisional hernias in follow-up periods ranging from 5 days to 14 months. Four wound infections healed readily without prolonged drainage. Incisional pain was minimal in all patients. A group of 18 patients with potential for poor healing because of hemorrhage, sepsis, malignancy and steroids had no wound complications apart from an acceptable rate of infection. It is concluded that interupted 0 Dexon with wide fascial placement provides an excellent closure for midline incisions.