Cystotomy Closure Using a Single-Layer Simple Continuous Versus Continuous Cushing Suture Patterns in Dogs

Two types of single-layer closure techniques were investigated on experimentally induced cystotomy in eight dogs divided equally and randomly into two groups (A and B). In animals of both groups, cystotomy was created experimentally on the ventral aspect of the urinary bladder (U. B.) wall through conventional midline ventral laparotomy. In group A, the cystotomy wound was closed by single-layer, full thickness, simple continuous (FTSC) pattern, whereas in group B, the closure was performed by single-layer continuous Cushing (CC) pattern, using polyglactin-910 (3/0) in both groups. The efficiency of cystotomy wound healing and a urine-tight seal of the reconstructed U. B. were explored at 14th and 28th post-operative (P.O.) days by general urine exam, contrast X-ray visualization by negative air media, postmortem inspection and histological interpretation. In both groups (A and B), the general urine exam showed no precipitation of oxalate and struvit crystals. A strong urine-tight seal of the reconstructed U. B. was also evident in either group as indicated by the X-ray images. The postmortem inspection revealed optimal healing at the site of cystomy wound closure on the 14th P. O. day, however slight to moderate adhesions were observed in two dogs (one in either group). The histological examination of the U. B. biopsies showed that the morphological appearance of the healing process of the cystotomy wound was similar in both groups. Normal epithelization of the mucosal layer and normal structural appearance of the muscularis and serosal layers at the site of cystomy closure were apparent in animals of both groups on the 14th P. O. day. In conclusion, the results of the present study revealed that the efficiency of the FTSC was equal to that of the CC in all comparison parameters.