Comparison of Suture Patterns for Skin Closure in Feline Ovariohysterectomy

Abstract

Ovariohysterectomy is routine surgery in small animal practice and wound dehiscence is the most common postoperative complications in this surgery. The objective of this study was to compare the suture pattern for skin closure in feline ovariohysterectomy. A total of 42 female cats were randomly assigned for buried continuous intradermal (BCID) suture pattern and simple interrupted (SI) suture pattern for skin closure. The closure techniques were evaluated by using nonabsorbable nylon suture. The variables include weight, incisional length, length of suture used and time required for skin closure. The cats were observed for wound score which include swelling, erythema, inflammatory exudate and dehiscence at 18 to 24 hours and 5 to 7 days after surgery without the use of Elizabethan collar. The results showed that there was significant difference in the total wound score between BCID and SI at 5 to 7 days. Simple interrupted has higher degree of postoperative complications, particularly wound dehiscence. Buried continuous intradermal is recommended for skin closure in feline ovariohysterectomy as it has lesser complications and reduce the risk of infection caused by self-trauma.

Ovariohisterektomi merupakan operasi rutin pada hewan kecil dan dehisensi luka adalah komplikasi yang paling umum pasca operasi. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk membandingkan pola penjahitan kulit pada ovariohisterektomi kucing. Sebanyak 42 kucing betina dibagikan kepada dua kelompok secara acak, yaitu buried continuous intradermal (BCID) dan simple interrupted (SI). Teknik penutupan dievaluasi dengan menggunakan jahitan nilon nonabsorbable. Variabel termasuk berat kucing, panjang sayatan, panjang benang jahit yang digunakan dan waktu yang dibutuhkan untuk penjahitan kulit. Skor luka termasuk pembengkakan, eritema, eksudat inflamasi dan dehisensi. Skor luka dievaluasi pada 18 sampai 24 jam dan 5 sampai 7 hari setelah operasi tanpa menggunakan kerah Elizabeth. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat perbedaan yang signifikan pada total skor luka antara BCID dan SI pada 5 sampai 7 hari. Simple interrupted memiliki komplikasi yang lebih banyak, terutama dehisensi luka. Buried continuous intradermal direkomendasikan untuk penjahitan kulit karena komplikasinya lebih kurang dan juga mengurangi risiko infeksi yang disebabkan oleh trauma.