Evaluation of absorbable suture materials in biliary tract surgery.

A comparative study of absorbable suture materials in the presence of digestive fluids has been made. At day 7, plain and chromic catgut had lost 81% and 64% respectively of their initial tensile strengths in bile at a temperature of 37 degrees C, whereas Dexon and Vicryl preserved 82+ and 49% respectively of theirs. Plain and chromic catgut are completely dissolved in gastric juice within two days and had lost about 90% of their initial tensile strength in pancreatic juice on day 4. They produce significant tissue reaction. Dexon and Vicryl appear to be similar in their tissue reaction which is minimal. However, the former is stronger than the latter in the presence of bile. We believe the surgeon who undertakes any type of biliary tract surgery may wish to review his choice of absorbable suture material used in view of the information presented herein.