The use of Dexon and plain catgut in circumcision

Abstract

Abstract Published clinical literature on the handling properties and qualities of Dexon (polyglycolic acid) suture material is reviewed. Of 68 patients (aged 3 months to 56 years) requiring circumcision, 37 were sutured with Dexon and 31 with plain catgut. There was no tissue reaction to Dexon in 36 patients (97.3 per cent) nor did any infection develop, but there was delay in absorption. Only 7 patients (22.5 per cent) sewn up with catgut were free from tissue reaction, and infection occurred in 8 of these patients. Catgut was absorbed more quickly. Dexon sutures had disappeared by the twenty-first day in 19 patients (51.3 per cent) and catgut had disappeared in the same time in 19 patients (63.3 per cent). In 5 of I2 patients photographed postoperatively there was a knobbly-looking, foreskin at 19–27 days. This was associated with Dexon in 4 patients and was probably due to unabsorbed suture material. The relative lack of tissue reaction to Dexon in comparison with catgut supports the findings of other clinicians. A way of tying Dexon and slipping the knot into place (like catgut) is also described.