Comparison of suture materials for intestinal anastomosis.

Ninety end-to-end entero-anastomoses were prepared in 45 dogs by inverted single row knotted sutures. Half of the anastomoses were carried out on the small intestine, the other half on the colon. Of the two non-absorbable materials that of the polyester type proved to be the best. Of the absorbable materials Dexon can be recommended for intestinal anastomoses, but on the colon Dexon is not reliable. Plain catgut is not recommended for this kind of anastomoses.