Clinical outcomes of the use of unidirectional barbed sutures in gastrointestinal surgery for dogs and cats: A retrospective study

To report the clinical outcomes of gastrointestinal surgery using unidirectional barbed sutures in single-layer appositional closure in dogs and cats. Retrospective and descriptive study. Twenty-six client-owned dogs; three client-owned cats. Medical records of dogs and cats that received gastrointestinal surgery closed with unidirectional barbed sutures were reviewed to collect information on signalment, physical examinations, diagnostics, surgical procedures, and complications. Short- and long-term follow-up information was collected from the medical records, the owners, or the referring veterinarians. Six gastrotomies, 21 enterotomies, and nine enterectomies were closed with a simple continuous pattern with unidirectional barbed glycomer 631 sutures. Nine dogs had multiple surgical sites closed with unidirectional barbed sutures. None of the cases in the study developed leakage, dehiscence, or septic peritonitis during the 14-day short-term follow up. Long-term follow up information was collected for 19 patients. The median long-term follow-up time was 1076 days (range: 20-2179 days). Two dogs had intestinal obstruction due to strictures at the surgical site 20 and 27 days after surgery. Both were resolved with an enterectomy of the original surgical site. Unidirectional barbed suture was not associated with a risk of leakage or dehiscence after gastrointestinal surgery in dogs and cats. However, strictures may develop in the long term. Unidirectional barbed sutures can be used during gastrointestinal surgery in client-owned dogs and cats. Further investigation of the role of unidirectional barbed sutures leading to abscess, fibrosis, or stricture is necessary.