An experimental study of suture of colonic wounds in the rabbit.

It would seem that, during the early phase of healing of a sutured colonic wound in the rabbit when a single layer continuous suture is used, silk results in a significantly stronger wound when compared with polypropylene, polyglactin 910 and chromic catgut of the same gauge, 000. Although at 14 days after operation, no significant differences in wound strength are apparent there appears to be some weakening at 21 days after operation. This is most marked with absorbable sutures, especially polyglactin 910. The mechanism of this is uncertain but may well be at a biochemical level related to collagen maturation. The strength of the suture line bears no correlation whatever to the degree of acute inflammatory reaction or fibrosis excited by the suture material upon histologic examination.