Single vs Double Layered Intestinal Anastomosis: A Comparative Study

BACKGROUND Perforation peritonitis is a common surgical emergency in the Indian Sub-continent and tropical countries. Perforationcan be treated by resection anastomosis or by creating a temporary stoma and again creating anastomosis on a later date to maintain continuity of the bowel. Anastomosis can be done by various methods including staples and hand sewn methods. Hand sewn methods include single layered gastro-intestinal suturing (SGIA) and double layered gastro-intestinal (DGIA) suturing. The principles of intestinal suture was establishes more than a century ago by Travers, Lambert and Halsted. Single layer intestinal suture was a more contemporary innovation first described by Hautefeuille in 1976. This comparative study will help us to establish the criteria for instituting the management modality and outcome of these two procedures.