The use of absorbable staples for skin closure after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy

Objective To compare the use of stainless steel staples with absorbable staples for closure of skin incisions in dogs undergoing tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). Study design Prospective study. Sample population Client‐owned dogs (n = 80). Methods With client consent, dogs were randomly assigned a staple type (stainless steel or absorbable) immediately prior to closure of a TPLO skin incision. Incisions were compared for length, staple type and number, and an inflammation‐infection score 2 weeks after surgery. Results Overall, 18.8% of incisions were diagnosed with inflammation or infection. No difference was found between inflammation‐infection scores, incision length, number of staples used, or general anesthetic time between the 2 staple groups. However, wound closure was faster with stainless steel staples (22.50 seconds; range, 11‐180) by approximately 30 seconds compared with absorbable staples (56.50 seconds; range, 18‐190; P