The Gambee intestinal anastomosis in gynecologic surgery

The Gambee single-layer, through-and-through, catgut suture anastomosis of the gastrointestinal tract has been in use from 1969 to 1974. Sixty-four anastomoses have been performed on 56 patients with gastrointestinal involvement or pelvic malignancy. There were no operative deaths, and no patients required reoperation for correction of intestinal anastomotic leaks or rupture of the suture line. This experience suggests that the Gambee intestinal single-layer anastomosis may be useful in the management of gastrointestinal complications of pelvic surgery and malignancy.