Find out what the top 5 mistakes vets have to avoid while using veterinary sutures as this blog focuses on them in detail.
Veterinary sutures are the specific types of surgical sutures that are used for stitching wounds and tissues in animals. These sutures hold tissues together during the healing process as they support proper alignment and lower the infection risks. Absorbable, non-absorbable, monofilament, and braided are different types of such sutures. Different sutures are used for various purposes. They depend on the tissue type, such as skin, muscle, fascia, or organs, that needs to be sutured. The wound condition of the animals also influences the selection of suture material and technique.
Therefore, choosing the right kind of sutures for veterinary surgeries is important. This blog post addresses the five biggest mistakes to avoid when you need to use sutures for animals.
Choosing the wrong suture material
Wrong suture material can disrupt the healing process for the animals. Different types of sutures have particular qualities for different tissues and healing processes. Using catgut in a mobile area like a joint can lead to wound disruption due to premature breakdown of the suture material. Here, a synthetic absorbable suture like polydioxanone (PDS) would be much more durable providing longer support. Moreover, multifilament sutures cause bacterial infection in contaminated wounds, whereas monofilament ones do not. Therefore, suture choice should be based on the tissue type for better healing.
Picking up the wrong suture needle
Surgical needles play a vital role in suturing, so selecting the wrong needle type can complicate wound closure. Like, using a taper-point needle can tear the skin, while a cutting needle on delicate internal tissues may lead to massive damage. The size of the needles also works as a factor. Choosing too large a needle may bring tissue trauma, and too small can make surgery difficult. Therefore, you should choose the right kind of needle for the right type of suturing to avoid unnecessary trauma to the wound.
Neglecting tissue type and healing speed
Different issues heal at different rates, so the same suture technique across all types of tissue leads to complications. The skin heals faster than internal tissues like muscle or fascia. Therefore, using absorbable sutures on slower-healing tissues can lead to premature wound breakdown. Similarly, using non-absorbable sutures where an absorbable one is ideal can leave unnecessary foreign material in the body. Therefore, such complications disrupt the healing process and speedy recovery.
Faulty knot security
A poorly tied knot can quickly undo a suture that is perfectly done. A loosely tied knot can unravel under tension, and an overly tight knot may lead to necrosis due to strangled tissues. Inconstant tension in the throws weakens knot stability, increasing the risk of wound disruption. Knot security is about strength and balance, as well. Therefore, the proper technique ensures a wound closure for a long time.
Poor suture placement
Placing the suture too close to the wound edge, too distant, or uneven in depth can hamper wound stability. Very tightly-knit stitches may cut into tissue, or those spaced too far apart can leave gaps. These types of stitching may cause infection or lead to disruption. Consistency in the suturing ensures tension and improves healing across the wound.
In conclusion, using proper suturing for animals gives them successful healing and prevents complications. This blog post thoroughly discussed the five major mistakes to avoid while using such sutures. A well-placed suture provides speedy recovery for veterinary patients, and using premium quality sutures ensures optimal outcomes. Lotus Surgicals is an India based global medical device company that provides the finest vet sutures.
