Healing of the fibrin adhesive anastomosis in the small intestine of pigs.

The healing of the fibrin adhesive small intestinal anastomosis from 1/2 to 168 hours postoperatively was evaluated by the bursting strength method in 28 pigs. There were no clinical leaks. After an initial increase in strength, from 1/2 to 48 hours postoperatively, the strength of the anastomosis dropped to a low at 96 hours postoperatively. From then on, a steady increase in strength was observed. A similar pattern of healing has been observed for the sutured intestinal anastomosis.