title: Single layer colonic anastomosis with a continuous absorbable monofilament polyglyconate suture.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report our experience with a single layer continuous absorbable monofilament polyglyconate suture technique in colonic anastomosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Teaching hospital, Denmark.
  
  
  METHODS
  105 consecutive patients operated on electively during the period January 1987-June 1990.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single layer continuous monofilament polyglyconate end-to-end anastomosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  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).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Hillerød Hospital, Denmark.
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Flyger
authors.forename: T U
authors.initials: TU
authors.lastname: Håkansson
authors.forename: L P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Jensen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D003106:Colon / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011108:Polymers; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013537:Sutures
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; C046409:polyglyconate