Choosing Sutures in Small Animal Surgery

Sutures role in wound repair process is to provide hemostasis and support for healing tissue [1-6]. Different tissues have differing requirements for suture support because they heal at different rates. Some tissues need support for only a few days (e.g. muscle, subcutaneous tissue, skin), whereas others require weeks (fascia) or even months (tendon) to heal. Patient variations further affect suture choice. Infection, obesity, malnutrition, neoplasia, steroids and disorders of collagen may delay wound healing. An ideal suture material would be one that will lose its tensile strength at about the same rate as the tissue gains strength and it will be finally absorbed by the tissue so that no foreign material remains in the wound. Endosurgery and minimally invasive surgical techniques in general, put additional demands on suture performance [4]. Good knot security must be maintained, tissue drag should be minimal and the surface lubricant must ensure ease of manipulation. Furthermore biocompatibility with minimal inflammatory response is mandatory. Surgeon’s preferences also need to be taken under consideration [2-6]. Some years ago, a typical general veterinary practice would have stocked only catgut, silk, nylon and perhaps stainless steel, but we now routinely use a wide range of synthetic absorbable and non-absorbable sutures [2]. Aim of the review is to help veterinary surgeons to choose the appropriate suture for a given procedure and tissue to be sutured.