The use of monofilament suture in vascular surgery

The blood lost through the suture line holes of vessels closed with braided polyester sutures is compared with that lost when a monofilament polypropylene suture is employed. In a retrospective analysis of blood replacement during saphenous vein aortorenal bypasses, twice as much blood replacement was required when the braided polyester suture was used. Further, ten dogs had one femoral artery reanastomosed with braided polyester suture and the other with monofilament polypropylene. Bleeding was three times greater and lasted six times longer when the braided polyester suture material was utilized.