Comparative study of cotton, polyglactin and polyglecaprone sutures in intestinal anastomoses in dogs

BACKGROUND: Over the years, many sutures were developed and then abandoned. Until now was not found an ideal suture to the intestinal tract or other tissues in general, making the choice a difficult task. AIM: To evaluate, macroscopically and microscopically, the healing process of intestinal anastomoses in dogs using polyglecaprone 25, polyglactin 910 and cotton sutures. METHODS: Twenty adult male dogs were operated on and underwent to three small bowel anastomosis using the technique with submucosal sutures. Were used three threads and the anastomoses were evaluated at different postoperative periods - group I - three days; group II - seven days; group III - 14 days and group IV - 21days. Macroscopic analysis was to assess the presence or absence of peritonitis, aspect of the anastomosis and adhesions. Histological studies of the anastomoses, using hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome analyzed the exudative inflammation, granulomatous inflammation, the mucosal epithelial coating and collagen fibers. RESULTS: The macroscopic analysis showed good coaptation of the edges with a moderate degree of adhesion between the intestines and omentum three to 21 days after surgery. The microscopic evaluation revealed exudative inflammation with neutrophils and fibrin, which ranged from mild to moderate until the 14th day; granulomatous inflammation with macrophages, multinucleated giant cells and epithelioid cells were more evident at 14th day for the cotton, presence of granulation tissue (fibroblasts) and collagen fibers, a moderate way, from the 7th for the three threads. CONCLUSION: All three threads showed similar behavior and thus they can be indicated for anastomoses of the small intestine.