[Comparative studies of various suture techniques in transthoracic esophagogastric anastomoses in dogs (author's...

In 27 dogs esophagogastric anastomoses were performed in a single-layered end-on, a three-layered end-on and a double-layered inverting technique. The anastomoses were reinvestigated on the 2., 4., 7., 15. and 30. postoperative day. Suture line leakages were not observed. The inverted suture resulted in considerable anastomotic stenosis, ulceration of the mucosa, disordered and initially incomplete revascularisation, and widespread granulomatous inflammatory reaction. In contrast, the end-on technique led to almost no stenosis, ordered revascularisation, and narrow and delicate scar tissue formation while maintaining a normally layered structure. The single-layered methode was superior to the three-layered one. The best results were obtained by the extramucous technique.