Absorbable and Nonabsorbable Sutures for Tracheal Anastomoses in Dogs

Tracheal anastomosis was performed in 3 groups of 6 mongrel dogs each (mean age, 4 months; mean weight, 7 kg) to compare synthetic sutures. The interrupted technique was used for all anastomoses and they were evaluated by rigid bronchoscopy in the 3rd postoperative week. While suture absorption was observed in the Vicryl group, it was not visible in the Ethibond and polydioxanone groups. Dogs were sacrificed between 26 and 76 days (mean, 44 days) postoperatively. No stenosis was observed in any group. Histological evaluation of the epithelium showed a statistically significant difference in epithelization between Vicryl and Ethibond, and between polydioxanone and Ethibond. There was no difference between Vicryl and polydioxanone. These results suggest that absorbable suture material is superior for tension-free anastomoses.