title: Prospective evaluation of sutured, continuous, and interrupted single layer colonic anastomoses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the merits of continuous and interrupted colonic anastomoses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective non-randomised study.
  
  
  METHODS
  District hospital, UK.
  
  
  METHODS
  53 Patients (24 male and 29 female) of whom 26 underwent continuous and 27 interrupted sutured colonic anastomoses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mortality at 30 days, time taken to complete anastomosis, anastomotic dehiscence and anastomotic stricture.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No patient died within 30 days. There were no significant differences in (median, range) time taken to complete the anastomosis (continuous: 15 (7-23) minutes; interrupted: 26 (10-34) minutes, p = 0.27); anastomotic leak rate (continuous 1; interrupted 1) and anastomotic stricture (continuous 1 and interrupted 1). Patients were followed up for a mean of 15 months after continuous and 18 months after interrupted colonic anastomoses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As both techniques were equally safe, it is probable that the type of colonic anastomosis done will remain a matter of individual preference.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Worcester Royal Infirmary, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: K I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Deen
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Smart
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003106:Colon / Q000601:surgery*; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques