ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To compare management outcome of single layer interrupted extramucosal intestinal anastomosis with double layer conventional method of intestinal anastomosis
DESIGN: Comparative study
MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective comparative study was conducted in Surgical Unit-II of Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi over a period of two years from Jan 2007 to Dec 2008. Adult patients undergoing elective or emergency small and large gut anastomosis were included. Esophageal, gastric and biliary anastomosis were excluded. Sixty patients were divided in two groups of 30 patients each. In Group-A single layer interrupted extra-mucosal anastomosis was done and in Group-B double layer anastomosis
Main outcome measures were to compare duration of procedure, post-operative leakage and post operative duration of hospital stay
RESULTS: Anastomotic leakage occurred in two [6.6%] patients of group A and in one [3.3%] patient of group B [p=0.55]
Mean of time taken for anastomosis was 18.30 min in group A and 25.87 min in group B [p=0.001]
Mean of duration of post operative hospital stay was 6 days in group A and 5.87 days in group B [p=0.8]
CONCLUSION: Single layer extramucosal intestinal anastomosis is equally safe and can be performed in shorter time than the double layer intestinal anastomosis