New fur apposition method for closing dog and cat cuts

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of the fur apposition technique (FAT) for simple laceration closure and to compare this technique to standard suturing in wound healing percentages, repair time, and time to discharge. METHODS: This study was a prospective, nonrandomized, controlled feasibility study. Ten client-owned dogs and 2 client-owned cats presenting to an emergency clinic with simple lacerations from June 2022 to September 2023 were assigned to either the standard suturing group or FAT group for simple laceration closure. Lacerations were rechecked at 10 to 14 days, and the wound healing percentage was assessed. Closure repair time and time to discharge were evaluated as secondary outcome measures. RESULTS: All 16 wounds (8 sutured and 8 FAT) were classified as healed by a veterinarian at recheck. No statistical difference was seen when wound healing percentage was evaluated between groups (mean difference, 5.65; t = 0.61; 95% CI, -8.55 to 15.44). The FAT resulted in faster time to discharge (median, 43.0 minutes; IQR, 38.5 to 65.0 minutes) compared to standard suturing (median, 118.0 minutes; IQR, 51.5 to 161.0 minutes; z = -2.32). No difference was found in repair time when the time to suture the wound was evaluated (median, 15.0 minutes; IQR, 6.0 to 25.5 minutes) compared to closure time with FAT (median, 10.0 minutes; IQR, 4.25 to 16.0 minutes; z = -1.053). All clinicians classified FAT as feasible for simple laceration closure in this population. CONCLUSIONS: FAT is a feasible, simple laceration closure technique in small animal patients. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Methods other than suturing can be considered for simple laceration closure in small animals.