Anterior anastomosis of the rectosigmoid colon: an experimental study.

Leakage in anastomoses below the peritoneal reflection after resection of the upper rectum and lower sigmoid colon has been studied in an experimental model in the dog. With blood alone or with blood and E. coli in the pelvis about the anastomosis, there was no significant increase in the frequency of leakage.

Delayed primary closure of the skin and subcutaneous tissue in abdominal surgery.

Infection-prone abdominal incisions in 143 patients were managed by delayed primary closure of the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the abdominal wall. The overall wound infection rate was 1.4% and the rate for 74 open, large bowel operations was 2.