[Experimental comparison of Maxon and chromic catgut in suturing of the urinary bladder]

The new monofile absorbable suture material Maxon was compared with Chromic catgut in bladder suturing in rabbits. Comparisons were made after 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. The rate of stone formation was mainly determined by the suture technique used and not so much by the suture material. This was demonstrated by the low number of stones formed after using extramucosal suturing technique. Once a suture, be it Maxon or Chromic catgut, comes in contact with urine, concrements may form and the new monofile properties of Maxon do not offer any advantages here. On the other hand, Maxon does not enhance stone formation either. E. coli or Proteus infections did not influence formation of stones. The histological examinations showed Maxon to cause fewer inflammatory reactions. Sutures with Chromic catgut caused inflammation of the bladder wall, subsiding after 4 weeks. An existing urinary infection did not appear to influence the inflammatory process. Maxon offers an advantage over Chromic catgut in extramucosal sutures causing fewer inflammatory reactions.