Comparison of different tube materials and use of Chinese finger trap or four friction suture technique for securing gastrostomy, jejunostomy, and thoracostomy tubes in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To compare Chinese finger trap (CFT) and 4 friction suture (FFS) techniques to secure gastrostomy (GT), jejunostomy (JT), and thoracostomy (TT) tubes of different materials.


METHODS
Prospective experimental study.


METHODS
Canine cadavers (n=20).


METHODS
Randomly, GT (n=20), JT (20), and TT (20) were inserted using 2 different suture techniques (10 for each tube type) and either silicone or another material (10 for each type). Axial distraction was applied to each tube until failure. Force and displacement to failure and failure mode were recorded and compared between techniques and materials for GT, JT, and TT.


RESULTS
CFT failed most commonly by suture breakage whereas FFS failed mainly by tube slippage (P=.003). For GT, failure occurred more commonly by tube slippage (n=15; P<.001) whereas tube breakage was more common for JT (n=10; P<.001) and suture breakage for TT (n=14; P=.022). Silicone had higher force to failure than latex with GT, lower force to failure than red rubber with JT, and lower displacement to failure than polyvinylchloride with TT.


CONCLUSIONS
Different failure modes occurred for CFT (suture breakage) and FFS (tube slippage) and among different tube types (tube slippage with GT, tube breakage with JT, and suture breakage with TT). Based on study results, CFT is preferred to FFS for anchoring silicone GT and TT. Silicone GT, red rubber JT, and polyvinylchloride TT were more secure than latex GT, silicone JT, and silicone TT, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
CFT should be preferred over FFS based on force and displacement to failure, but tube type and tissue reaction could influence anchoring strength.
Song
Eddie Kugju
EK
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO, USA. drsongcornell@yahoo.com
Mann
F A Tony
FA
Wagner-Mann
Colette C
CC
D000818:Animals; D002102:Cadaver; D004285:Dogs; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005774:Gastrostomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D007582:Jejunostomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000662:veterinary*; D013907:Thoracostomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*
D012826:Silicone Elastomers