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Tissue strength and wound morphology of the equine linea alba after ventral median celiotomy.
Abstract: To evaluate the tensile strength and wound morphology of the equine linea alba at intervals over 6 months after ventral median celiotomy. Methods: Linea alba tensile strength and wound morphology were determined at 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 weeks postoperatively. Linea alba samples from 3 unoperated horses were used as controls. Methods: Eighteen adult horses, weighing 400 to 500 kg, 4 to 15 years old. Methods: Tensile strength and thickness of incised linea alba samples collected at 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 weeks after ventral median celiotomy were compared with control linea alba samples. Additional samples were subjectively evaluated for wound morphology, notably collagen morphology. Results: Control linea alba had a mean (+/-SEM) tensile strength of 484.9 +/- 58.3 N and was significantly (P < or = .05) stronger than at 2 weeks (87.7 +/- 61.4 N) after surgery. The tensile strength of 4-week (305.8 +/- 61.7 N), 8-week (465.4 +/- 56.5 N), and 16-week (477.8 +/- 57.2 N) samples were not significantly different from control linea alba. At 24 weeks, the tensile strength (721.0 +/- 57.9 N) was significantly stronger than control. The 2-, 4-, and 8-week samples were significantly thicker than controls, whereas the 16- and 24-week samples were not different from controls. On microscopy, control samples were characterized by dense mature collagen bundles. At 2 weeks, samples consisted primarily of granulation tissue, whereas at 4 weeks, samples had immature collagen fibers that were not formed into bundles, and at 8, 16, and 24 weeks, all samples had abundant mature collagen fibers formed into bundles. Conclusions: At 8 weeks, incised and sutured equine linea alba had a tensile strength comparable with non-incised linea alba and was characterized by mature collagen. Conclusions: Based on tensile strength and wound morphology, horses that have had an uncomplicated recovery after ventral median celiotomy should be able to return to controlled exercise as early as 60 days after surgery.
Publication Date: 2000-03-24 PubMed ID: 10730707DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-950x.2000.00145.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The study explores the tensile strength and wound morphology of the linea alba in horses following a ventral median celiotomy over a period of six months. It concludes that horses can ideally return to controlled exercise just two months after the operation.
Research Methodology
For the study, a total of 18 adult horses aged between 4 to 15 years old were operated with ventral median celiotomy. The strength and thickness of the linea alba samples from these horses were controlled and compared at varying intervals; 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 weeks after the operation. Control samples of the linea alba were also collected from three non-operated horses to serve as standards for comparison.
- The tensile strength of the samples was measured to understand the resilience of the operated tissues over time.
- The thickness of the samples served as an indicator of the wound healing process, the thicker the sample, the heavier the healing process.
- Microscopic evaluation was made to check wound morphology, particularly focusing on the collagen morphology.
Results and Analysis
The results indicated significant differences in the tensile strength and thickness of the celiotomized horses compared to the control samples.
- Two weeks post-surgery, the tensile strength dropped drastically compared to the control. However, from the fourth week onwards, the tensile strength gradually increased, almost reaching the control level.
- The tensile strength of the 24-week samples surpassed that of the control, indicating a substantial recovery over time.
- The thickness of the initial weeks’ samples were also found to be higher than that of the control samples, suggesting an intensive healing process.
- Over time, the thickness decreased to the level of control samples, showing the completion of the healing process.
Microscopic evaluation revealed that while the control samples showcased well-formed mature collagen tissue, the two-week samples were dominated by granulation tissue. By the fourth week, the immature collagen fibers began to appear gradually evolving into mature collagen fibers formed into bundles by week eight onwards.
Conclusion
The study concluded that after eight weeks post-ventral median celiotomy, the operated equine linea alba had a comparable tensile strength to non-incised linea albas and the presence of mature collagen tissue. Thus, it suggests that horses, with an uncomplicated recovery, should be able to resume controlled physical activities as early as 60 days post-surgery.
Cite This Article
APA
Chism PN, Latimer FG, Patton CS, Rohrbach BW, Blackford JT.
(2000).
Tissue strength and wound morphology of the equine linea alba after ventral median celiotomy.
Vet Surg, 29(2), 145-151.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-950x.2000.00145.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37901-1071, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Abdominal Muscles / physiology
- Abdominal Muscles / surgery
- Animals
- Female
- Horses / physiology
- Horses / surgery
- Male
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
- Postoperative Period
- Tensile Strength
- Wound Healing / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- McCorkell TC, Espinosa Seoane D, Zani-Ruttenstock E, Doktor F, Figueira R, Sinclair M, Zur Linden A, Horna M, Recchi L, Defarges A, Antounians L, Bütter A, Zani A, Koenig J. Veterinary and technical optimization of the fetal sheep model of congenital diaphragmatic hernia: implications for translational pediatric surgery. Front Surg 2025;12:1711870.
- Gaitan HM, Mudge MC, Litsky AS, Arruda AG, Gardner AK. Ex vivo biomechanical evaluation of tissue construct strength in an equine colopexy model. Vet Surg 2025 Jan;54(1):189-198.
- Scharner D, Gittel C, Winter K, Blaue D, Schedlbauer C, Vervuert I, Brehm W. Comparison of incisional complications between skin closures using a simple continuous or intradermal pattern: a pilot study in horses undergoing ventral median celiotomy. PeerJ 2018;6:e5772.
- Reina Rodriguez FS, Buckley CT, Milgram J, Kirby BM. Biomechanical properties of feline ventral abdominal wall and celiotomy closure techniques. Vet Surg 2018 Feb;47(2):193-203.
- Carlson MA, Chakkalakal D. Tensile properties of the murine ventral vertical midline incision. PLoS One 2011;6(9):e24212.
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