Bidirectional knotless barbed versus conventional smooth suture for closure of surgical wounds in inguinal castration in horses.
Authors: Adler Ditte Marie Top, Østergaard Stine, Jørgensen Elin, Jacobsen Stine
Journal: BMC veterinary research
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Barbed versus Conventional Sutures in Equine Castration Castration remains one of the most common equine surgical procedures, and wound closure technique directly impacts recovery outcomes and complications. Danish researchers compared bidirectional knotless barbed sutures (KBS) with conventional smooth sutures (SS) in 45 horses undergoing bilateral inguinal castration, evaluating both operative time and short- and long-term complication rates. Whilst manufacturers of barbed sutures promote efficiency gains and improved security through eliminating knot-tying, emerging evidence suggested these materials might paradoxically increase postoperative complications—a concern that prompted this direct comparison. The study's findings regarding complication rates, healing timelines, and time expenditure at wound closure will help practitioners make evidence-based choices about suture selection for castration, particularly where infection risk and client cost-effectiveness must be balanced against operative convenience.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Consider the trade-offs between speed of application and complication rates when choosing between knotless barbed and conventional sutures for castration wound closure
- •Post-discharge complication monitoring is important regardless of suture type used, as some complications may not be apparent immediately after surgery
Key Findings
- •Bidirectional knotless barbed sutures were compared to conventional smooth sutures for inguinal castration wound closure in 45 horses
- •Study evaluated both short-term and post-discharge complications between the two suture types
- •Suturing time was measured and compared between knotless barbed and conventional smooth suture techniques