Anastomoses involving the colon and rectum: an 8-year experience.

From January 1987 to May 1995, 214 anastomoses involving the rectum or colon were fashioned using single-layer, interrupted serosubmucosal 3/0 braided polyamide. There were six deaths, one clinically evident anastomotic leak, and one wound infection. These results lend further support to the use of a single layer of serosubmucosal sutures for anastomoses involving the colon and rectum.