Effects of Suture Type and Patterns on Surgical Wound Healing in Rainbow Trout

Abstract

In two separate experiments we investigated the effects of different types of suture material and patterns on wound healing in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss with and without transmitter implants. We used absorbable and nonabsorbable monofilament and braided silk sutures in simple interrupted and vertical mattress patterns to close 3-cm incisions on rainbow trout. Braided silk sutures and vertical mattress suture patterns caused significantly more tissue inflammation (P < 0.05) as shown by macroscopic analysis. However, there were no significant differences in the histology or strength of the wounds related to the type of suture material or the type of suture pattern used. Dummy radio transmitters compounded the inflammatory effect silk had on healing incisions compared with inflammation without transmitters.