The present study was conducted to compare the efficacy of Two hand sewn techniques of gut anastomosis (i.e. single and double layer). This prospective study was conducted in department of Surgery, JA Group of Hospitals, G.R.M.C Gwalior. 80 patients requiring intestinal anastomosis were included in this study from October 2011 to October 2012. In this study 43 single layer extramucosal and 37 conventional double layered anastomosis were observed and Comparison was made in terms of time required

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... for anastomosis, anastomotic leak and other complications, and the cost incurred. Single layer anastomosis was performed with a continuous 2-0 polyglycolic acid suture & two layer anastomosis was constructed using 2-0 silk lembert suture for the outer layer & a continuous 2-0 polyglycolic acid suture for inner layer. 80 patients were subjected to intestinal anastomsis either single or double layer in emergency or electively by senior surgeon (Registrar or consultant). In 43 cases single layer anastomsis was done (18 emergency + 25 elective). In 37 cases double layer anastomosis was done (14 in emergency + 23 elective). In our study single layer anastomosis took 16-22 minutes whereas double anastomosis took 26-36 minutes. The average postoperative stay in hospital was 11.45 days for single layer and 13.45 days for double layer. The study shows that there was low incidence of anastomotic failure and setpic complications in single layer as compared with the double conventional methods of gut anastomosis. Hence the single layer anastomosis is safe and cost effective.