Sutures are medical devices used to close wounds or surgical incisions in horses. They are typically made from materials such as nylon, polypropylene, or absorbable polymers and are selected based on the specific requirements of the wound or procedure. Sutures serve to approximate tissue edges, promote healing, and reduce the risk of infection. In equine medicine, the choice of suture material, technique, and pattern can significantly affect the healing process and the outcome of surgical interventions. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that examine the types, applications, and outcomes of suture use in equine veterinary practice.
Stick JA, Krehbiel JD, Kunze DJ, Wortman JA.Esophageal healing was evaluated in 10 ponies after sutured and nonsutured cervical esophagotomy techniques. Mucosal healing occurred significantly (P less than 0.005) faster after sutured esophagotomies (x = 7.5 days after surgery) than after nonsutured esophagotomies (x = 25.6 days after surgery), based on endoscopic and clinical evaluations. Although endoscopy was an accurate assessment of the return of normal passage of a food bolus through the esophagus, 4 of 10 ponies had radiographic evidence of a sinus tract after the mucosa was considered healed, based on endoscopic and clinical exami...
Bras GE, Kersjes AW.Comparative studies were done on healing of the wound following laparotomy through the ventral wall of the abdomen (paramedian incision or in the linea alba) in seventy horses and following surgical treatment of umbilical hernia in eighty-five (young) horses, in which perlon, (chromic) catgut, stainless steel wire and polyglycollic acid were used as suture material. Though with some reserve, as the study was concerned with the comparison of findings in clinical cases in which a number of conditions may vary, it is concluded that steel wire and polyglycollic acid are preferable to perlon and (c...
Reinertson EL.Thirteen horses and ponies were used to evaluate an anastomotic technique utilizing a modified Gambee suture pattern. The modified Gambee technique was compared with a single-row everting technique and a double-row inverting technique. The double-row inverting technique predisposed to intestinal obstruction and resulted in minimal adhesions. The everting technique predisposed to leakage of intestinal contents and subsequent peritonitis. Adhesions were formed at the site of the anastomosis to such an extent as to jeopardize the proper position of the bowel. The technique did not cause any lumin...
Sonnichsen HV.Dexon is a new, synthetic, absorbable suture material. Its applicability for suturing distally in the extremities of horses was tested in 65 cases. The indications included burried sutures as well as skin closure. It was concluded that the material can be used with advantage in cases traditionally sutured with catgut, vetafil or mersilene. It is technically a pleasant material and has further the advantage that it shall not be removed.
Hodgson E, Thirouin M, Narayanan P, Romano TR, Wise J, Bond S.Current methods to measure intragastric pH in horses have limitations. A wireless capsule has been designed for continuous esophageal pH monitoring in humans. Objective: To (1) determine the feasibility and describe the methodology of measuring intragastric pH wirelessly in horses; and (2) determine attachment duration of the capsules. Methods: Eleven healthy adult horses. Methods: Capsules were attached to squamous and glandular gastric mucosa under gastroscopic guidance, using suture loops and 1 to 4 hemostasis clips. pH was continuously recorded using a wireless recorder in both fed and fas...
Baldwin CM, Gillen A.To evaluate three different jejunal transection angles for end-to-end jejunojejunostomies, comparing construction time, lumen size, and suture number. Methods: Ex vivo cadaver study. Methods: Eight euthanized horses each had three mid-jejunal specimens harvested. Methods: Jejunal segments were assigned to one of three groups (A30, A45, and A60) and transected at 30, 45, or 60°, respectively. Following transection, a standardized handsewn single-layer interrupted modified Lembert anastomosis was performed, and construction time and number of sutures placed were recorded. Anastomotic index (AI)...
Graham AE, Carslake HB, Malalana F.Evidence for optimal location of subpalpebral lavage (SPL) systems is lacking. Objective: To compare the rate and types of complications with SPL systems located in central upper- compared with medial lower-eyelid in hospitalised patients. Methods: Prospective, randomised treatment trial. Methods: Horses admitted for ophthalmic treatment using an SPL system from February 2015 to January 2024 were included if ocular pathology did not necessitate SPL system placement in a specific location. Coin toss was used to determine location. SPL systems were monitored at least daily, and complications wer...
Ysebaert MP, Johnson J, Marie U, Campos A, Verchrerin A, Ducharme NG, Rossignol F, Luedke LK.To compare the biomechanical stability of a novel arytenoid implant (tie-bolt, TB) with a suture anchor (SA) and standard laryngoplasty using suture alone (control) in equine larynges. Methods: Randomized ex vivo controlled experimental study. Methods: Thirty equine cadaver larynges. Methods: Larynges were randomly assigned to TB, SA, or control groups (n = 10 each). The force of abduction was measured for each construct, then constructs underwent cyclic loading (5-50 N for 3000 cycles) to assess elongation, followed by load-to-failure testing to assess ultimate load, displacement, stiffn...
Sharshar A, Hammad A, Salem M, El-Sunsafty M.This study was carried out to evaluate a rectal pull-back one-stage technique, which is a modification of the one-stage Goetz technique, for treating third-degree perineal laceration or rectovestibular fistula. Methods: This study was performed on 12 mares, ten of whom suffered from third-grade perineal laceration, and two suffered from rectovestibular fistula and were included in this study. After incision of the vestibular shelf horizontally, the dissected rectal flap was pulled caudally and sutured to the anal sphincter during its reconstruction at the final stage. While the vestibular shel...
Willems T, Dias ABM, Dedecker L, Matamalas SS, De Lange L, de Beauregard T.Nephrosplenic space entrapment (NSE) has reported recurrence rates of 8%‒23%, and closure of the nephrosplenic space (NSS) has been shown to lower the incidence. Described techniques for nephrosplenic space closure (NSC) with concurrent left dorsal displacement (LDD) of the colon at the time of surgery consist of reducing the displaced colon prior to closure. Methods: A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the medical records of horse undergoing NSC between 2017 and 2024. A total of 18 horses with LDD at time of NSC and 21 without displacement at time of NSC were evaluated. Short- a...
Gaitan HM, Mudge MC, Litsky AS, Arruda AG, Gardner AK.To compare strength of left paramedian colopexies using various techniques in equine ex vivo models. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Equine cadavers euthanized for nongastrointestinal pathology (36 specimens derived from 9 horses). Methods: Colopexies were performed after euthanasia. Suture pattern (horizontal mattress vs. cruciate) and incorporation of dorsal sheath of the rectus abdominis (partial-thickness) versus incorporation of dorsal and ventral sheath of the rectus abdominis (full-thickness) were evaluated. Single cycle load to failure, work to peak load, stiffness, and mode of f...
