Comparison of surgeon experience using simple interrupted and simple continuous suture patterns in intestinal resection and anastomosis.

This experimental study compared leak pressures and completion time of intestinal anastomoses performed by novice veterinarians and a Board-certified surgeon using simple interrupted and simple continuous suture patterns. Grossly normal jejunal segments (n = 108) from 6 fresh canine cadavers were used to harvest 8-cm cooled canine cadaveric jejunal segments that were randomly assigned to a control group (12 segments) and 4 treatment groups (24 segments/group, 12 constructs/group): i) simple interrupted anastomoses performed by a Board-certified surgeon (BSI); ii) simple continuous anastomoses performed by a Board-certified surgeon (BSC); iii) simple interrupted anastomoses performed by novice veterinarians (NSI); and iv) simple continuous anastomoses performed by novice veterinarians (NSC). Median (range) initial leak pressure (ILP) for control was 400.2 mmHg (226.0 to 500.0 mmHg), BSI 37.4 (14.4 to 124.0), BSC 32.5 (13.4 to 91.0), NSI 36.5 (22.9 to 62.0), and NSC 47.5 (8.9 to 120.0). No difference was noted between experience (P = 0.73, P = 0.53), suture technique (P = 0.07, P = 0.38), or across treatment groups (P = 0.17, P = 0.94), for ILP or MIP (maximum intraluminal pressure), respectively. Time to construct completion differed based on suture technique (P < 0.0001) and experience (P < 0.0001). The median and mean ILP of all anastomoses exceeded physiologic intraluminal peristaltic pressures. Simple continuous anastomoses were faster to complete overall. Both handsewn anastomosis techniques are appropriate for intestinal anastomoses. Copyright and/or publishing rights held by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.