Single layer colonic anastomosis with a continuous absorbable monofilament polyglyconate suture.

OBJECTIVE: To report our experience with a single layer continuous absorbable monofilament polyglyconate suture technique in colonic anastomosis. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Teaching hospital, Denmark. SUBJECTS: 105 consecutive patients operated on electively during the period January 1987-June 1990. INTERVENTIONS: Single layer continuous monofilament polyglyconate end-to-end anastomosis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical signs of anastomotic leak and stricture, wound infections, and duration of hospital stay postoperatively. RESULTS: Of the 105 patients in the study, 1 developed an anastomotic leak (1%, 95% confidence interval 0 to 5.2%). Median duration of hospital stay was 8 days (range 4-72) and wound infections were recorded in 7 patients (7%, 95% confidence interval 2.7 to 13.2%). None of the patients had symptoms of anastomotic stricture at follow-up (median 19 months, range 2-48). CONCLUSION: Single layered continuous colonic anastomosis with an absorbable monofilament suture is a safe technique, easily learned even by relatively inexperienced surgeons and less expensive than other methods.