The use of Dexon and plain catgut in circumcision

Abstract

Published clinical literature on the handling properties and qualities o f Dexon (polyglycolic acid) suture materid is reciewed. Of' 68 patients (aged 3 months to 56 years) requiring circumcision, 37 were sufured 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 deecelop, but there was delay in absorption. Only 7 patients (22.5 per cent) sewn up with cntgur were ,free f i o m tissue reaction, and infection occurred in 8 of these putients. Catgut was absorbed more qnickly. Dexon sutures had disappeared by the twentyfirst day in 19 pcitients (51.3 per cent) and catgut had disappeared in the same time in 19 patients (63.3 per cent). I n 5 of I2 patients photographed postoperatiarly 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.