Incisional complications after skin closure with n-butyl cyanoacrylate or stainless-steel skin staples in horses undergoing colic surgery.
Authors: Martinez-Lopez Javier, Brown James A, Werre Stephen R
Journal: Veterinary surgery : VS
Summary
# Incisional Complications After Colic Surgery: Comparing Skin Closure Methods in Horses When closing ventral midline celiotomy incisions following colic surgery, farriers and veterinarians must weigh the merits of different techniques; this retrospective analysis of 218 horses (2014–2018) directly compared n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBC) adhesive versus stainless-steel staples (SS) to determine whether either closure method reduced incisional complications. Incisional problems—including infection, dehiscence, and herniation—occurred in 17.5% of horses overall, with no significant difference between the SS group (19.1%) and NBC group (15.9%), though in-hospital complications (6.4% of all horses) proved to be an independent risk factor for later problems after discharge. Elevated packed cell volume at surgery emerged as a significant predictor of in-hospital incisional complications, suggesting that the horse's haematological status may influence wound healing regardless of closure method. Because NBC performed equivalently to the traditional staple technique whilst offering practical advantages including easier application and no requirement for removal, it represents a valid alternative for cutaneous closure in equine colic surgery, particularly in cases where post-operative staple removal presents logistical challenges or when a seamless aesthetic result is desired.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Both n-butyl cyanoacrylate and stainless-steel staples are equally effective for skin closure after colic surgery, giving surgeons flexibility in closure method choice
- •Monitor packed cell volume status perioperatively as elevated values increase risk of incisional complications; manage systemic factors accordingly
- •Watch carefully for incisional problems in the first 15 days post-surgery, as in-hospital complications significantly predict later problems like hernia formation
Key Findings
- •Incisional complications occurred in 17.5% of horses overall, with no significant difference between n-butyl cyanoacrylate (15.9%) and stainless-steel staples (19.1%, P=0.54)
- •Complications developed in-hospital in 6.4% of cases and post-discharge in 9.6% of cases, with in-hospital complications associated with later complications (P=0.01)
- •Packed cell volume was a significant risk factor for in-hospital incisional complications (P=0.04)
- •N-butyl cyanoacrylate performed equivalently to stainless-steel staples for cutaneous closure after ventral midline celiotomy