This study compares the use of synthetic absorbable suture (SAS, Vicryl) with that of synthetic nonabsorbable suture (SNS, Ticron) for construction of cervical tracheal anastomoses in the dog. Fourteen mongrel dogs underwent resection of one to four tracheal rings. Paired tracheal anastomoses were constructed, using 10 SAS or 10 SNS. After two months each anastomosis was removed and analyzed. All animals survived with intact anastomoses. There were no visible reactions to the SAS. Twenty-six of 70 SNS developed gross suture granulations. Significant stenosis developed in one of seven SAS and in four of seven SNS anastomoses. Histologic examination revealed no residual inflammatory reaction in the SAS specimens, while the SNS demonstrated a spectrum of inflammatory response that directly correlated in intensity with the gross appearance. These findings support the continued evaluation for the use of SAS in clinical tracheobronchoplastic procedures.