Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Suture types and skin opening rates after dog knee surgery
By Caiazzo, Megan N et al.·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2025·Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Impact of suture materials polydioxanone and poliglecaprone 25 on non-infected clean orthopedic stifle procedure incisional dehiscence rates.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 232 dogs undergoing orthopedic surgery for knee issues, like cranial cruciate disease, had their skin closed with either polydioxanone (PDS) or poliglecaprone 25 (Monocryl) sutures. After surgery, about 9.5% of the dogs experienced issues with their incisions opening up, but there were no signs of infection. The study found that both types of sutures were equally effective in preventing this problem. This means that veterinarians can choose either suture material for skin closure after clean orthopedic procedures without worrying about a higher risk of incision issues.
People also search for: dog knee surgery recovery · dog incision care after surgery · polydioxanone vs Monocryl sutures in dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare dehiscence rates, and evaluate incisional outcome, between the use of polydioxanone (PDS) versus poliglecaprone 25 (Monocryl) suture for skin closure in dogs undergoing a variety of clean orthopedic procedures associated with the stifle. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, prospective, cross-sectional design. ANIMALS: Client owned dogs with cranial cruciate disease deemed appropriate surgical candidates for tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) or other clean orthopedic stifle procedure (N = 232). METHODS: Dogs undergoing a TPLO, or other clean orthopedic procedure were randomly assigned to one of three groups using different closure materials. Incisional dehiscence rate in the absence of infection was analyzed against multiple variables. Infection and dehiscence were characterized based on previously published descriptions. RESULTS: A total of 232 dogs were analyzed with 72 in Group 1, 85 in Group 2, and 75 in Group 3. A total of 137/232 (59.05%) of dogs received postoperative antibiotics. Overall, 22/232 (9.48%) of dogs showed dehiscence without evidence of infection during the follow up period. Postoperative antibiotic use (p = .023) and signs of infection (p < .001) were statistically different between the healed and dehisced groups. The mean weight, body condition score, and incision length were not different between groups. CONCLUSION: There is no difference in dehiscence rate in the absence of infection following a clean orthopedic procedure when comparing skin closure with PDS versus Monocryl. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Either PDS or Monocryl may be used for skin closure following a clean orthopedic procedure.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39891030/