One-layer colonic anastomosis with polyglycolic acid (Dexon) suture: a 3-year prospective audit.

Fear of leakage has inhibited many surgeons from performing one-layer anastomosis with a continuous absorbable suture for the outer layer. Ninety-three one-layer colonic anastomoses were performed using polyglycolic acid sutures in 92 patients. Mortality was low (1.1%) and intra-abdominal septic complications occurred in only 4 patients (4.4%). Superficial wound infections occurred in a further 6 patients (6.5%). The mean postoperative hospital stay was 13.2 d with more than 79% being discharged in 15 d.