[Clinical use of a new absorbable suture material in general surgery]

Results with a new, completely absorbable synthetic suture material made of polyglycolic acid (Dexon) in abdominal and anorectal surgery are reported. It is considered that this material can usefully be employed in the place of known absorbable materials and, under certain conditions, non-absorbable materials. No complications due to inflammation and mucosa ulceration following transparietal migration of stitches in the sero-serous or seromuscular layer of the intestine were noted. The results obtained when stitches were left in situ in 37 intradermal sutures, on the other hand, were not so satisfactory and some scars were judged cosmetically poor after 6 months. These results are felt to be caused by Dexon's long absorption time. In cases of this kind, therefore, it should only be used in the form of removable, single stitches.