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Objective: The study was undertaken to test the integrity of various flat and sliding knots with the use of braided and monofilament absorbable sutures., Study Design: There were four study groups, each of which consisted of a single suture type and size, with five different knots. Each combination was tested 10 times for a total of 200 experiments. The suture types used were 0-0 and 2-0 Glycomer 631 (Biosyn) and 0-0 and 2-0 coated Lactomer (Polysorb). Knots tested were the square knots, surgeon's knots, modified granny flat knots, and modified identical and nonidentical sliding knots. Knots were tested to failure with a tensiometer. We compared the proportion of knots becoming untied within each group and the ultimate load required to break tied knots., Results: In the 0-0 and 2-0 Lactomer groups, 90% and 60% of modified identical sliding knots, respectively, became untied, significantly more than all other knots., Conclusion: When 0-0 and 2-0 Lactomer sutures were used, modified identical sliding knots should be avoided.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to measure patient health-related quality of life/satisfaction with the results of hysterectomy in 2 distinct groups of women., Study Design: A health-related outcomes questionnaire was completed 3 months after hysterectomy by 50 low-income women who underwent operation at a state-supported teaching hospital and by 50 women who underwent operation at a private hospital., Results: The women at the teaching hospital had a significantly worse outcome satisfaction score than the women at a private hospital. However, 98% of the patients at the teaching hospital and 100% of patients at the private hospital noted their symptoms to be improved. Factors such as race, age, preoperative indications, route of hysterectomy, oophorectomy, and hormone replacement therapy did not affect outcome scores., Conclusion: Low-income women who undergo operation at a university teaching hospital experience lower satisfaction after hysterectomy than do other women.