“Barbed suture has been adopted across all surgical specialties. One of the infrequent complications seen with the use of barbed suture is small bowel obstructions (SBOs). In this study, we perform a review of the literature and the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience Database (MAUDE) to characterize SBOs after the use of barbed sutures
in a variety of operative procedures.”

“Barbed suture has proven useful in various surgical procedures and provides an advancement in surgical technique that can be employed in a wide variety of surgical specialties. Like all procedural advancements, their use is not without the potential for complications, among which is the potential for mechanical bowel obstruction and other
adhesive processes after use. Surgeons opting for the use of barbed sutures should maintain a high index of suspicion for complications and employ a low threshold for reoperation when symptoms arise to help prevent serious complications.”

Clapp, Benjamin et al. “Small bowel obstructions following the use of barbed suture: a review of the literature and analysis of the MAUDE database.” Surgical endoscopy vol. 34,3 (2020): 1261-1269. Full Text for Emory Users