Reaction of the urinary tract to polypropylene sutures.

Cystotomies were performed on 99 mature guinea pigs and closed with polypropylene sutures. The bladders were removed at intervals from day 4 through day 144 postoperatively. They were studied with both light and electron microscopy. A localized mild, acute, inflammatory reaction was noted transitorily; it subsided between the 7th and 14th day. Three calculi were formed, a result which compares favorably with studies of other sutures. Results indicate that the suture may have a place in urologic surgery, but further studies are necessary before clinical use.