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Ex vivo comparison of intradermal closures with conventional monofilament suture vs unidirectional barbed suture in dogs
Author(s) -
Regier Penny J.,
Smeak Daniel D.,
McGilvray Kirk C.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
veterinary surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1532-950X
pISSN - 0161-3499
DOI - 10.1111/vsu.13271
Subject(s) - barbed suture , medicine , cadaver , fibrous joint , surgery , suture line , displacement (psychology) , wound closure , anatomy , wound healing , psychology , psychotherapist
Objective To evaluate the mechanical properties, strength, and quality of seal provided by continuous intradermal suture lines closed with barbed suture vs monofilament suture. Study design Experimental study. Sample population Forty‐eight full‐thickness wounds in canine cadavers. Methods Four‐centimeter‐long parasagittal cutaneous wounds were created in canine cadavers. Each intradermal closure was closed with smooth monofilament suture and terminated with a 2 + 1 Aberdeen knot (n = 24) or a unidirectional barbed suture terminated with a single end pass (n = 24). Wounds (n = 12/group) were harvested, and a servohydraulic machine applied tensile load perpendicular to the long axis of the suture line. A load–displacement curve was generated; maximum load, displacement, stiffness, and mode of construct failure were recorded. Harvested wounds were placed in a watertight construct to measure the volume of fluid leaking over 3 minutes at 1.0 ± 0.1 psi. Results Stiffness did not differ between constructs ( P > .05). Incisions closed with monofilament sutures sustained higher maximum load (311.21 N ± 87.40) and displacement at failure (21.19 mm ± 4.51) compared with those with barbed sutures (116.38 N ± 42.82 and 15.03 mm ± 2.32, respectively, P < .05). Closures with monofilament sutures leaked more (4.38 mL ± 7.90) compared with those with barbed sutures (0.15 mL ± 0.43, P < .05). Conclusion Monofilament sutures resulted in stronger constructs, whereas barbed suture constructs provided a better watertight seal. Clinical significance While unidirectional barbed sutures may improve watertight skin closure, surgeons should consider using conventional monofilament sutures when mechanical strength of the closure is of primary concern.