T. Jonsson et al., EFFECT OF INTERRUPTED AND CONTINUOUS SUTURING ON INTESTINAL WOUND MARGIN STRENGTH IN RATS, European surgical research, 25(3), 1993, pp. 169-173
Suture-holding capacity (breaking strength) of small bowel anastomoses
made with interrupted or continuous sutures was assessed in two group
s of rats. The tightness of the suture line was varied in a standardiz
ed manner in both groups. All types of anastomoses had similar strengt
h immediately after surgery. After 72 h, suture-holding capacity had d
ecreased by 50-55% (p < 0.001) in tightly sutured anastomoses and by 1
0-15% (p > 0.05) if sutures were loose. Changes in strength were simil
ar regardless of whether interrupted or continuous sutures were used.
Myeloperoxidase activity, reflecting tissue neutrophil accumulation, a
nd hydroxyproline content were similar in all types of anastomoses aft
er 72 h. Deterioration of early anastomotic strength is probably due t
o proteinase-mediated tissue degradation. It is speculated that tight
sutures encourage proteolytic enzyme activity in the bowel wall by dis
turbing the local proteinase/proteinase inhibitor balance.