Taper suture needles are noninferior to reverse cutting needles for intradermal skin closures in tibial plateau leveling osteotomies.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical early incisional healing outcomes of tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) incision closures with the use of reverse cutting (FS) or taper point (SH) needles for intradermal closure. METHODS: A prospective observational study was performed. Healthy canine patients presenting for routine unilateral TPLO at a single hospital were prospectively enrolled between October 2023 and January 2025. Incisions were closed in a routine fashion with a buried continuous intradermal pattern, with each patient randomly assigned an SH or FS needle for the intradermal closure. General patient data were collected, and incisions were formally assessed in hospital via a semiquantitative scoring system at 18 to 24 hours and 10 to 14 days postoperatively. Scoring was performed with the primary observer blinded to the needle type. RESULTS: A total of 96 patients were assessed, with 49 assigned SH needles and 47 assigned FS needles. Incisions closed with FS needles had significantly higher total scores and erythema scores at 18 to 24 hours postoperatively. There were no significant differences in scores between needle groups at 10 to 14 days postoperatively. Minor complications were reported for 14 patients at the 10- to 14-day postoperative period. No other complications were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Intradermal skin closures for TPLOs with the use of an FS needle may have greater inflammation in the immediate postoperative period than those closed with an SH needle. This is unlikely to affect overall healing in the short term. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: FS or SH needles are appropriate for skin closed in a buried continuous intradermal pattern; however, FS needles may create greater immediate postoperative inflammation than SH needles.