Intestinal anastomosis in children: it’s time for a general consensus

The search for most appropriate suture materials and suturing techniques is still a controversial aspect (1), both in general and pediatric surgery. Suture materials and suturing techniques for intestinal anastomosis are various. Suture materials can be of different type such as natural or synthetic, monofilament or multifilament, absorbable or non-absorbable. Suturing techniques are also assorted and can be hand-sewn or mechanical. Originally, intestinal anastomosis was exclusively hand-sewn and they were executed with a single layer, interrupted, absorbable suture (Vicryl) (2). In 1993, Martin and Motbey found that Maxon suture, a monofilament absorbable stitch, was superior to other available sutures for paediatric gastrointestinal surgery (3).