Comparison of tensile strength and early healing of acute repeat celiotomy through a ventral median or a right ventral paramedian approach.
OBJECTIVE
To compare tensile strength, failure location, and histologic features after acute repeat celiotomy through a ventral median (RVM) or a right ventral paramedian (RVP) celiotomy in horses.


METHODS
Ex vivo experimental study.


METHODS
Adult horses (N = 18).


METHODS
Twelve adult horses had original ventral median (OVM) celiotomy. Repeat celiotomy was performed 72 hours postoperatively through the original ventral median (RVM, N = 6) or a RVP (N = 6) celiotomy. Celiotomies were scored daily for edema, drainage, and dehiscence. Fourteen days after repeat celiotomy, horses were euthanatized and abdominal wall containing celiotomy(ies) were collected for biomechanical and histological evaluation. The abdominal wall of control horses (N = 6; no celiotomy) was collected for biomechanical testing. Vital sign variables, incisional edema, and histologic scores were compared using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Incisional fibrotic depth and tensile strength per unit length (N/cm) was compared using repeated measures ANOVA.


RESULTS
RVM and RVP horses had significantly less tensile strength compared to control horses, but no differences were observed between RVM and RVP horses. No differences in healing, inflammation, infection, or necrosis of repeat celiotomies was observed, but RVP horses accumulated more fibrin and hemorrhage within the incision. RVP horses had significantly greater incisional edema scores, but incisional drainage was more frequent in RVM horses.


CONCLUSIONS
Acute repeat celiotomy through a RVM incision results in similar incisional healing and tensile strength compared with repeat celiotomy through a RVP incision.
Department of Large Animal Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.
Lindsey Helms
LH
Boone
Kira
K
Epstein
Jeanette
J
Cremer
Andrew
A
Rogers
Tim
T
Foutz
Jane
J
Quandt
Elizabeth
E
Howerth
P O Eric
PO
Mueller
D058107:Abdominal Wound Closure Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003085:Colic / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D013537:Sutures / Q000662:veterinary*; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014945:Wound Healing