[Animal experiment studies of carcinogen-induced tumor development in colotomies in relation to suture materials]

To assess the possible risk of cancer in the operated colon after stapling compared with vicryl sutures, the influence of the nickel-containing staples was tested in caecum-resected and carcinogen-treated rats. The nickel-containing staples were seen as a cocarcinogen. The aim of the study was to determine whether a higher incidence of cancer occurs at the anastomotic suture line depending on stapler vs. vicryl sutures after subcutaneous application of carcinogens (dimethylhydrazine). The results show that there is no increased risk of cancer following mechanical stapling.