Barbed compared with standard suture: effects on cellular composition and proliferation of the healing wound in the ovine uterus.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare cellular composition (fibroblasts vs. smooth muscle cells) and proliferation in uterine healing wounds after application of barbed compared with standard suture in a sheep model. DESIGN: Randomized trial (Canadian Task Force classification I) using each animal as its own control. SETTING: Certified animal research facility. Population or sample. 23 non-pregnant ewes. METHODS: A myometrial incision was created with the harmonic scalpel in each horn of the bicornuate uterus. The incisions were randomly allocated to be closed using either polyglactin 210 (Vicryl®) or barbed suture. Three months later, uterine tissues were collected, fixed and used for determination of cellular composition and proliferation using histochemistry (Masson trichrome staining) and immunohistochemistry (staining of smooth muscle cell actin and Ki67, a marker of proliferating cells) followed by image analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Evaluation and comparison of the cellular composition and proliferation of uterine wounds after application of barbed vs. standard suture. RESULTS: The ratio between connective tissue elements and smooth muscle cells, expression of smooth muscle cell actin and labeling index were similar in wounds after application of barbed compared with standard suture, but were different (p < 0.0001-0.05) in wounds than in non-wounded areas in uterus. CONCLUSION: Both barbed and standard sutures had similar effects on cellular composition and proliferation of uterine wounds in an animal model.