Philippine E-Journals

Macroscopic and Microscopic Changes in the Wound After Intradermal Closure Using Buried Knot and Pulley Knot-Free Patterns Following Ovariectomy in Cats

James Patrick M. Chupeco | Marianne Leila S. Flores | Marco F. Reyes

Discipline: Animal Science

 

Abstract:

Two methods of anchoring continuous intradermal suture (buried knot and pulley knot-free patterns) in abdominal skin incisions in cats were compared to determine which method is more cosmetically-acceptable. Nine female cats were subjected to routine ovariectomy with two ventral midline incisions 2 cm apart. The abdominal layer was closed routinely, while the cranial and caudal skin incisions were closed using the continuous intradermal suture pattern anchored alternately with the buried knot or pulley knot-free pattern. The wounds were observed daily and skin biopsy was done at 7, 14 and 21 days post-operation. Aesthetically, the pulley knot-free anchor showed a lesser degree of pus formation and less elevation than buried knot, while the buried knot had less dehiscence than pulley-free anchor. The two methods were found equal in degree of scab formation, hyperemia and scar formation. Microscopically, no differences between the two methods were observed with regards to the presence of hemorrhage, wound gap, inflammation and fibroblastic proliferation. Although there were no significant differences between the two anchor methods, the novel pulley knot-free anchor provides a more adequate wound apposition, especially at the end of the incision than the buried knot.