The study on the clinical effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese medicine acupoint catgut embedding guided by musculoskeletal ultrasound in the treatment of nerve root sciatica: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Nerve root sciatica (NRS) is a common orthopedic disease, which usually occurs between 20 and 40 years of age, and the incidence rate is increasing year by year and is being younger. The disease has no special effect of treatment, clinically generally taking the symptomatic treatment, such as taking short-term glucocorticoids, sedatives, analgesics, and so on. Long-term use of drugs will adversely affect the patient's gastrointestinal tract, liver, and kidney function. The surgical treatment has a high risk of surgery, high cost, side effects, and other problems, so the choice of treatment method has always been a difficult problem in clinical and scientific research. The study shows that 90% of patients with sciatica can be cured by non-surgical treatment, so conservative therapy is often used in the treatment of sciatica, traditional Chinese medicine treatment methods in the treatment of NRS has been widely used, which has achieved good results, but there is no evidence of evidence-based medicine. Therefore, this study uses systematic evaluation to conduct the scientific evaluation of the clinical effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese medicine acupoint catgut embedding guided by musculoskeletal ultrasound in the treatment of NRS, and provide evidence-based medical evidence support for the treatment of NRS. METHODS: Using the computer to retrieve the PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP, WANFANG Database, and CBM. Using the subject words and terminology words to retrieve the Chinese-English database and retrieve a randomized controlled study on the clinical effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese medicine acupoint catgut embedding guided by musculoskeletal ultrasound in the treatment of NRS, and the range of search time is January 1990 to January 2021. The searched literature is screened and evaluated by two researchers respectively according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. If there is disagreement, discussing it with the third researcher to determine the final inclusion of the literature. Using the RevMan 5.3 software to conduct the meta-analysis. RESULTS: This study will compare the effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese medicine acupoint catgut embedding guided by musculoskeletal ultrasound in the treatment of NRS. CONCLUSION: The results of this study will be published in internationally influential academic journals to provide evidence-based medical evidence for the clinical effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese medicine acupoint catgut embedding in the treatment of NRS. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study does not involve specific patients, and all research data comes from publicly available professional literature, so an ethics committee is not required to conduct an ethical review and approval of the study. OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/Q492E.

Use of 5-0 Fast Absorbing Gut versus 6-0 Fast Absorbing Gut during cutaneous wound closure on the head and neck: A randomized evaluator-blinded split-wound comparative effectiveness trial.

BACKGROUND: Absorbable suture material (Fast Absorbing Gut [FG], Ethicon, Somerville NJ) is often used for patient convenience; however, the optimal diameter of FG sutures is debatable. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the use of 6-0 FG during repair of linear cutaneous surgery wounds on the head and neck improves scar cosmesis compared with the use of 5-0 FG. METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized, split-scar intervention in patients undergoing repair of linear cutaneous wounds on the head and neck. The scar was assessed 3 months after surgery via the Physician Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), a validated instrument. RESULTS: The difference in the sum of the POSAS component scores for 6-0 FG (12.03) compared with that for 5-0 FG (13.11) was not statistically significant (P = .26). Observer overall opinion was similar for both interventions, at 2.49 for 6-0 FG vs 2.64 for 5-0 FG (P = .54). The difference in the number of complications in the 5-0 FG group (15) vs the 6-0 FG group (10) was not statistically significant (P = .40). LIMITATIONS: Single-center study with wounds limited to the head and neck in white individuals, with a predominance of men. CONCLUSION: For linear repair of cutaneous wounds, 6-0 FG was not statistically different for cosmetic outcomes, scar width, and complications compared with 5-0 FG.

Comparative study of polyglactin 910 and simple catgut in the formation of intraperitoneal adhesions.

PURPOSE: To compare polyglactin 910 and simple catgut sutures for the incidence of intraperitoneal adhesions. METHODS: Twenty female Wistar rats were placed into two groups. Group 1 received ischemic sutures and Group 2 received polyglactin 910. Five sutures inductive of adhesions in each rat were made. After 14 days, the rats were euthanized with an assessment of the presence of adhesions, the number of sutures involved and classification according to the Granat et al. scale described by Ozel et al17. RESULTS: In total, 19 of the 20 rats presented adhesions, with nine from Group 1 and ten from Group 2. There was a smaller number of affected sutures in Group 1, while in Group 2 the majority of the sutures formed adhesions (p=0.0197). According to the Granat et al. scale, Group 1 predominately developed fine, filamentous adhesions or thickening in a restricted area. Group 2 mainly presented extensive, thick adhesions with the involvement of the viscera (p=0.0055). CONCLUSION: Polyglactin 910 sutures formed more adhesions that were more extensive and thicker than the simple catgut sutures.

Comparative study of polyglactin 910 and simple catgut in the formation of intraperitoneal adhesions

Abstract Purpose: To compare polyglactin 910 and simple catgut sutures for the incidence of intraperitoneal adhesions. Methods: Twenty female Wistar rats were placed into two groups. Group 1 received ischemic sutures and Group 2 received polyglactin 910. Five sutures inductive of adhesions in each rat were made. After 14 days, the rats were euthanized with an assessment of the presence of adhesions, the number of sutures involved and classification according to the Granat et al. scale described by Ozel et al17. Results: In total, 19 of the 20 rats presented adhesions, with nine from Group 1 and ten from Group 2. There was a smaller number of affected sutures in Group 1, while in Group 2 the majority of the sutures formed adhesions (p=0.0197). According to the Granat et al. scale, Group 1 predominately developed fine, filamentous adhesions or thickening in a restricted area. Group 2 mainly presented extensive, thick adhesions with the involvement of the viscera (p=0.0055). Conclusion: Polyglactin 910 sutures formed more adhesions that were more extensive and thicker than the simple catgut sutures.

A clinical study on the influence of suturing material on oral wound healing.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Suture materials play an important role in healing, enabling reconstruction and reassembly of tissue separated by the surgical procedure or trauma, and at the same time facilitating and promoting healing and hemostasis. Suture materials are used daily in oral surgery, and are considered to be substances most commonly implanted in human body. The aim of this clinical study was to examine the speed of wound healing and complications incidence, after the use of three different absorbable synthetic suture materials in oral surgery (catgut, Dexon and Vicryl rapide), and to ascertain which one is the most suitable for oral surgery. METHODS: The study was conducted on 96 patients undergoing root resection or surgical extraction of third molars. Each of the suture materials (catgut, Dexon and Vicryl rapide) was used for 8 root resections and 8 surgical third molar extractions in the maxilla, as well as in the mandible (a total of 32 surgical interventions for each suture material). RESULTS: The faster wound healing was obtained with Vicryl rapide compared to other two suturing material tested. There was no significant difference regarding the presence of local reaction in all the three groups of patients on the 21st postoperative day. CONCLUSION: The results of our clinical study point out that Vycril- rapid contributes more than catgut or Dexon to faster healing of human wounds, with fewer incidences of wound dehiscence and milder local reactions.

Gross and histologic evaluation of abdominal adhesions associated with chromic catgut and polypropylene sutured enteropexies in dog / Evaluación macroscópica e histológica de las adherencias abdominales asociadas a enteropexias suturadas con catgut crómico y polipropileno en perros

The gross and histologic patterns of abdominal adhesions formed by the use of chromic catgut and polypropylene suture materials were evaluated in dogs. Gross and histologic examinations did not reveal significant difference (p>0.05) in the degree of adhesions observed at enteropexy sites in both suture materials. The use of polypropylene with superior suture qualities should be considered instead of chromic catgut for procedures in which adhesion is desired in the dog.

Fueron evaluados los patrones macroscópicos e histológicos de las adherencias abdominales formadas por el uso de catgut crómico y materiales de sutura de polipropileno. Los exámenes macroscópicos e histológicos no revelaron diferencias significativas (p> 0,05) en el grado de adherencias observadas en los sitios de la enteropexia en ambos materiales de sutura. El uso de suturas de polipropileno con mejores cualidades debe ser considerado en lugar del catgut cromado para procedimientos en los que la adherencia en el perro es deseada.

Tissue reactions of suture materials (polyglactine 910, chromed catgut and polydioxanone) on rat bladder wall and their role in bladder stone formation.

Suture materials are widely used in urological surgery especially in regions that are in contact with urine. In this study, we aimed to compare polyglactine 910, chromed catgut and polydioxanone sutures according to stone formation and inflammation, congestion and foreign body reaction that occur on bladder mucosa. Cystotomy procedure was performed, in three groups of Wistar female rats, with 4/0 polyglactine 910, 4/0 chromed catgut and 4/0 polydioxanone sutures. All groups were divided into two sub-groups with 4 and 8-week follow up periods. Rats were treated with 20 mg kg(-1) day(-1) Ofloxacin (i.p.) daily until the seventh post-operative day. Urinary pH, leucocyte esterase and nitrite levels were determined. All rats were killed at the end of the follow-up period and stone formation on sutures and degrees of tissue reactions (inflammation, congestion and foreign body reaction) on bladder mucosa were compared. Tissue reactions were evaluated by the same pathologist (S. K.). Chi-square and Student's t test were used in statistical analysis (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the mean weights of the groups. Leucocyte esterase and nitrite were negative in urine analyses. There was no significant difference between urinary pH levels of the groups with 4 and 8 weeks follow-up (p>0.05). Although the difference between the degrees of congestion in groups was not statistically significant (p>0.05), there were statistically significant differences between the degrees of inflammation and foreign body reaction in groups. Although the duration of urinary contact of suture is the main factor in stone formation on suture material, tissue reaction on mucosa and the physical structure of suture also affect this formation. We observed lower degrees of inflammation and foreign body reaction with 4/0 polydioxanone and no stone formation. We believe that polydioxanone may be useful and reliable in urological surgery due to these properties.

Stability of neuropathic pain symptoms in partial sciatic nerve ligation in rats is affected by suture material.

Many factors affect the development of neuropathic pain behavior in animal models. In this letter, we describe the differences in the development of neuropathic pain behavior observed when the partial sciatic nerve ligation (PNL) is performed with either a synthetic silk or chromic catgut ligation. To characterize nociceptive changes over time after surgery, neutral plate, hot plate, Von Frey, pinprick, acetone spray and cold plate testing was performed. The results indicated that a chromic catgut ligature caused cold allodynia, chemical hyperreactivity, mechanical hyperalgesia and hypersensitivity that remained present for the entire 56 days post-surgical observation period. With the synthetic silk ligature, comparable functional deficits were present in the initial phase after surgery, but several of these deficits diminished over time 21-28 days post-surgery. In conclusion, performing the PNL using chromic catgut suture thread gives rise to more robust sensory deficits than when synthetic silk is used. Therefore, the material that is used for the ligature in the partial sciatic ligation model has an effect on the outcome of the observed sensory abnormalities.

Deep sclerectomy with various implants: an experimental and histopathologic study in a rabbit model.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of various implants used in experimental deep sclerectomy and to report tissue reactions developed to these implants histopathologically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty eyes of 40 New Zealand white albino rabbits underwent deep sclerectomy with various implants. The rabbits were divided into four groups; each consisted of 10 eyes. Deep sclerectomy was performed using copolymer materials in group 1, silicone materials in group 2 and chromic catgut suture in group 3. No implants were used in the control group (group 4). Clinical and histopathological examinations were performed to investigate the effectiveness of implants. RESULTS: Mean preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) was 14.4 +/- 1.6 mm Hg in group 1, 14.5 +/- 1.8 mm Hg in group 2, 13.8 +/- 1.5 mm Hg in group 3 and 14.5 +/- 1.2 mm Hg in group 4. The final postoperative IOPs were 10.7 +/- 0.9, 10.6 +/- 0.8, 13.5 +/- 1.0, and 14.5 +/- 1.4 mm Hg, respectively. At 2 months, the decrease in IOPs from baseline and the persistence of the filtering bleb were significantly marked in group 1 and group 2 (p < 0.001). Histopathological evaluation revealed that copolymer and silicone materials formed a smooth and regular intrascleral space. There were no foreign body reaction, tissue destruction or fibrosis in group 1 and group 2, but chromic catgut sutures caused severe fibrosis and inflammatory reaction in group 3. Mean histopathologic score of group 1, group 2, group 3 and group 4 was 0.7 +/- 0.5, 0.8 +/- 0.5, 2.4 +/- 0.6, and 0.1 +/- 0.3, respectively. CONCLUSION: Copolymer or silicone materials may increase the success rate of surgery by maintenance of a large and regular intrascleral space after deep sclerectomy and prevention of collapse of the flap.

The relationship between five kinds of laparoscopic knots and five types of suture materials and histological findings in tissues: an experimental study on rabbits.

The aim of the current study was to examine the slipping and the tightening of laparoscopic knots with various kinds of sutures, as well as the histologic alterations in tissues. Fifty rabbits and five kinds of sutures were used-silk, polyglactine-910 (Vicryl), Polydioxanone (PDS), Polyglycol (Dexon), and cat-gut chromic-and five laparoscopic knots were used-Tayside, Roeder, Melzer, Cross, and Blood. The knots were performed extracorporeally and were used to ligate a part of the omentum. Sliding and tightening of the knots were evaluated. The omentum, the suture, and the knots were checked 10 days and 1 month after operation. Histologic examination was performed 1 month after surgery. Polyglactine-910 (Vicryl) and silk were the most qualitative sutures used in Tayside, Roeder, and Blood knots and the least harmful for the tissues. Catgut chromic and Polydioxanone (PDS) were the most defective sutures. The most efficient laparoscopic slipknots are Tayside, Roeder, and Blood, especially when constructed with silk and polyglactine-910 (Vicryl).

Suture materials and other factors associated with tissue reactivity, infection, and wound dehiscence among plastic surgery outpatients.

The most common complications in plastic surgery are tissue reactivity, infections, and wound dehiscence. In the literature, there are only a few studies with sample sizes large enough and methods of statistical analysis appropriate for evaluating the role of suture materials in inducing such complications. In the 1000 plastic surgery outpatients in this study, the association of different suture materials, individual patient characteristics, surgeon skill, and wound site and length with postoperative wound complications (i.e., tissue reactivity, infection rate, and wound dehiscence) were investigated. No substantial differences were found between the different suture materials and suturing techniques. A moderate increase in the risk of tissue reactivity for silk and polyglactin 910 and a protective effect of thinner internal sutures were observed. In multivariate analysis, such differences were not statistically significant. Male sex [odds ratio (OR), 1.7; 95 percent confidence interval (CI), 1.06 to 2.72] and older age (OR, 2.34; 95 percent CI, 1.36 to 4.05) were found to be the most important risk factors for tissue reactivity and infection rate (male sex: OR, 5.1; 95 percent CI, 1.7 to 15.9; older age: OR, 5.6; 95 percent CI, 1.9 to 16), whereas younger age was associated with an increased risk of dehiscence (OR, 3.06; 95 percent CI, 1.41 to 6.65). Wounds on the lower limbs showed a lower risk of tissue reactivity and wounds on the back a higher risk of dehiscence. Wound length was associated with the risk of tissue reactivity in one-layer sutures (OR, 2.92; 95 percent CI, 1.51 to 5.65). An increased risk of both tissue reactivity (OR, 1.53; 95 percent CI, 1.03 to 2.27) and dehiscence (OR, 2.44; 95 percent CI, 1.1 to 5.43) was observed for operations performed by less-experienced surgeons. Rather than factors related to suture materials and different surgical techniques, and with the exception of surgeon experience, general characteristics of the patients (i.e., sex and age) and of the wounds (i.e., length and site) seemed to be primarily responsible for local wound complications.

Estudo da ação dos fios de categute cromado e poliglecaprone 25, na ileocistoplastia em ratos, destacando a formação de cálculos / Study of the action of chromed catgut and polyglecaprone 25 of the threads in the ileocystoplasty in rats, highlighting the formation of stone

Realizou-se um estudo da ação dos fios de categute cromado 6-0 e de poliglecaprone 25, 5-0, para determinar o fio ideal na ileocistoplastia em ratas. O maior objetivo, foi a profilaxia litiásica. Utilizaram-se 51 ratos de Wistar, que participaram de dois grupos experimentais: grupo do plano piloto (27 ratos), que foi o grupo categute (GC) e grupo da tese do mestrado (24 ratos), que foi o grupo poliglecaprone (GP). Sob anestesia intraperitonial com pentobarbital sódico a 3 por cento, todos os animais foram submetidos a ileocistoplastia, após laparotomia mediana longitudinal. Nos ratos do GC, a anastomose da bexiga urinária (aberta 0,5 cm sagitalmente no seu ápice), com a extremidade distal do segmento ileal ,era realizada por meio de pontos separados em plano único, com fio de categute cromado 6-0, e nas ratas do GP, com fio de poliglecaprone 25, 5-0. Seguiu-se a síntese da parede abdominal e recuperação anestésica. O estudo era realizado em 27, 42 e 57 dias nos animais do GC, que eram divididos em 3 subgrupos de 9 ratos. No GP, os animais eram analisados em 28 e 84 dias, por subgrupos de 12 animais. Transcorrido o tempo determinado para cada subgrupo, eram reoperados e observados os aspectos macroscópicos da cicatrização, aderências e formação de cálculos. A bexiga urinária ampliada pelo segmento ileal, era ressecada, aberta, lavada em solução salina isotônica, fixada no Líquido de Boüin, e processada, para histologia. A eutanásia era consumada com dose mínima letal anestésica. Os resultados apresentados, foram 29,6 por cento de litíase, nas ratas do GC: 5,4 por cento em 27 dias; 10 por cento em 42 dias e 14,25 em 57 dias do pós operatório (p.o.). Nas ratas do GP, não foram encontrados cálculos. Os estudos microscópicos, foram submetidos à análise estatística (a ú a 0,05), e utilizados para outro trabalho científico. Conclui-se: na ileocistoplastia com categute cromado 6-0, há 29,6 por cento de cálculos, do 27o ao 57o dia p.o. e com o uso do fio de poliglecaprone 25, 5-0, até o 84o p.o.,não há presença de litíase.

Scleral and episcleral histological changes related to encircling explants in 20 eyes.

PURPOSE: To investigate scleral and episcleral histological alterations induced by encircling explants used in scleral buckling procedures. METHODS: We performed a histopathological study of 20 enucleated eyes after failure of retinal detachment surgery including encircling scleral buckle. RESULTS: Nonabsorbable materials were encapsulated and often gave rise to a limited scleral invagination. The inner capsular surface was regular in 10 silicone explants, it was partially covered with hydrogel fragments and a granulomatous foreign body giant cell reaction in 8 hydrogel explants. One Arruga thread was encased in fibrosis and a catgut circle showed no encapsulation. Other changes were mostly related to the long-standing retinal detachment: peripheral anterior synechiae, anterior uveal effusion, persistent retinal detachment, retinal gliosis, retinal atrophy, retinal breaks, and silicone oil droplets. CONCLUSION: All nonabsorbable explants underwent encapsulation and prompted scleral invagination. A granulomatous reaction accompanied hydrogel fragmentation. The long term fragmentation impact on implanted eyes remains unknown.

Oral tissue reactions to suture materials.

Tissue reactions to natural and synthetic braided and monofilament suture materials in gingiva and oral mucosa were studied. A total of 138 sutures made of four commonly used materials were placed in the edentulous ridges and vestibular mucosa of eight beagle dogs. Biopsy specimens including the suture loop and surrounding tissues were obtained after 3, 7, and 14 days and processed for histologic analysis. The inflammatory reaction was more rapid and intense than the reaction that has been reported after suture placement in skin. Bacterial invasion of the suture track was a common sequela regardless of the material used, but it was particularly prominent for silk. The formation of a perisutural epithelial sleeve was well under way at 3 days and in some instances included the entire suture track within 7 days. Connective tissue reactions consisted of several well-defined, concentric perisutural zones. At 14 days, these zones were partly replaced by granulation tissue surrounded by a fibrous capsule. The synthetic monofilament suture elicited a mild inflammatory tissue response. The results showed that sutures placed in gingiva and oral mucosa produce a prolonged tissue response that is most likely a result of the continual influx of microbial contamination along the suture channel, which may be a lesser problem when sutures are placed in other surgical compartments. The results indicate that chromic gut sutures are rapidly and unpredictably absorbed when used in an environment characterized by moisture and infectious potential.

Hemostasia e infecçäo / Haemostasis and infection

O presente estudo tem por objetivo relacionar o fio cirúrgico e sua natureza, na gênese das infecções da ferida operatória, bem como verificar se o uso do cautério propicia maiores índices de infecção. Foram utilizados 78 ratos Wistar, com peso corporal entre 180 e 250 gramas. Após anestesia geral, quatro incisões foram realizadas no dorso do animal. Para a realização da hemostasia e ao mesmo tempo síntese do plano músculo-aponeeurótico, foram utilizados três tipos de fio: Poligglactina, Algodão, Categute simples. Na Quarta incisão foi utilizado cautério. Os animais foram divididos em grupos de acordo com os procedimentos no plano músculo-aponeurótico: GI - utilizou-se fios e cautério GII - inoculou-se bactérias. GIII - utilizou-se fio, cautério e inoculou-se bactérias. Uma semana após, material foi colhido das feridas cirúrgicas para realização de culturas. O grupo GI (n=10), nenhuma das culturas destas feridas desenvolveu crescimento de microorganismos. O grupo II (n=20), 35 por cento infectaram. No grupo III (n=48), verificou-se a presença de 69,8 por cento feridas infectadas. Concluimos que o fio é importante fator na gênese de infecção de feridas independente de suas características e que o uso abusivo do cautério propiciou os maiores índices de infecção.

Stricture incidence related to suture material in hypospadias surgery.

PURPOSE: To report the complication rates after hypospadias surgery, with stratification according to the type of suture used for the urethral anastomosis (rapid/intermediate absorbable v prolonged absorbable.) MATERIAL AND METHODS: During a 7-year period (1986 to 1992), 117 boys aged 5 to 124 months (mean, 14) underwent surgical correction of hypospadias. The urethral anastomoses were performed with chromic sutures before 1987 (n = 15), with polydioxanone (PDS) between 1987 and 1990 (n = 46), and with polyglycolic acid (PgA) after 1990 (n = 56). The patients were separated into two groups: those whose operations were performed before 1987 and after 1990 (using chromic or PgA sutures), and those whose surgery occurred in the intervening 3 years (using PDS). A successful result was defined as good cosmesis without urethral stricture or urethrocutaneous fistula on long-term follow up (mean follow-up period, 15.9 months). RESULTS: Of the cases that had PgA or chromic sutures, 76.1% were corrected in a single operation, as opposed to 50.9% when PDS was used (P = .002). In the chromic/PgA group, 6.8% had strictures, compared with 23.6% of the PDS group (P < .02). This contrast was most evident in cases with pedicled tube flaps; strictures occurred in 43.8% of the PDS group but in only 9.5% of the chromic/ PgA group (P < .02). There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative fistulas between the two groups. In some patients, the PDS sutures remained present in the urethra, without absorption, up to 7 months after the initial repair. CONCLUSION: Sutures with rapid or intermediate absorption rates provide the best results for hypospadias surgery. The extreme delay in in vivo absorption of polydioxanone should preclude its use as an interrupted suture in small-caliber urethral anastomoses.

Comparison of the degree of abdominal adhesion formation associated with chromic catgut and polypropylene suture materials.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the histologic pattern and biomechanical properties of adhesions caused by chromic catgut and polypropylene sutures, using an enteropexy model. DESIGN: Enteropexies were created in dogs, using chromic catgut and polypropylene suture. The adhesions associated with the enteropexies were examined histologically and mechanically. ANIMALS: 6 mixed-breed dogs weighing 16 to 20 kg. PROCEDURE: 72 enteropexies were created between the jejunum and abdominal wall. 36 sites were sutured with chromic catgut and 36 were sutured with polypropylene. 3 dogs were euthanatized after 1 week. The remaining dogs were euthanatized after 1 month. Samples of the enteropexy sites were obtained for histologic examination. The remaining sites were mechanically distracted until failure of the enteropexy site or adjacent tissue occurred. RESULTS: Histologic examination of the enteropexy sites did not reveal substantial differences in the degree of inflammation between the 2 suture types at 1 week or 1 month. The degree of inflammation decreased and the maturity of fibrous tissue formed at the enteropexy sites increased for all specimens over time. No statistically significant difference in breaking strength was observed between suture types at 1 week or 1 month. CONCLUSION: In dogs, the formation and strength of intentionally created abdominal adhesions are not increased by use of chromic catgut. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Selection of chromic catgut suture for use in surgical procedures where adhesions are desired is unwarranted.

[A study of uterine adhesions following suturing of the uterus with catgut or Vicryl in cesarean sections in cattle]. / Een onderzoek naar vergroeiingen van de uterus na het hechten van de uterus met catgut of Vicryl bij de sectio caesarea van het rund.

A caesarean section was performed in 202 cows for the first time. The uterus of 103 of these cows was sutured with Vicryl (7 metric) and the uterus of 99 cows was sutured with plain catgut (9 metric). The cows were randomly allotted to the two groups. All cows were rectally examined to diagnose adhesions between the uterus and the surrounding tissue five weeks post partum. Adhesions were found in 50% of the cases. There were no differences in the number of adhesions and the severity of the adhesions between the catgut and the Vicryl group (Table 1).