Intestinal anastomoses prior to 1882; a legacy of ingenuity, persistence, and research form a foundation for modern gastrointestinal surgery.

This review describes some of the main intestinal suture and anastomosis techniques up to 1882. The disparity between the great variety of proposed techniques and the paucity of actual clinical application is highlighted. Additionally, the statistical reviews of Rydygier (1881) and Madelung (1882), sources originally written in German and only rarely cited, are compared and analyzed. Historical terminology regarding anastomoses is clarified, and the contribution made by experimental surgery toward the establishment of modern suture technique is discussed. The technique of Philipp Ramdohr (1727) is presented in greater detail.