Comparison of staple and suture techniques for the closure of rumen in goats

Experiments were conducted on I2 Kamori goats to determine the best closure technique for ruminal incision in goats. Twelve goats were divided into 2 groups (Group-A and Group-B) placing 6 animals at random in each group. Apposition layer (App-2) suture pattern (first, layer simple interrupted suture pattern that excluded the mucosal and was over sewn with a second layer of continuous cashing suture techniques with chromic catgut 2/0 in Group-A. In group-B rumon incision was closed with staples passing through all layers, of rumen wall. Skin stapler (Precise TM vista skin stapler 3M 15W, U.S.A.) was used for this purpose. Goats were pre-medicated with xylazine (0.18 plus-minus 0.03 mg/kg, I/M) in group-A and group-B respectively. Paravertebral block of thoracic thirteenth, first and second lumbar nerves were achieved with xylocaine hydrochloride. The meals abdominal incision of 9.00 cms in length was made on left flank in 3.54 plus minus O.135 minutes in group-A and 3.58 plus-minus 0.166 minutes in group-B. The mean ruminal incision of 3 cms was given on greater curvature of stomach 0.75 plus-minus 0.091 minutes in group-A and 0.75 plus-minus 0.91 minutes in group-B. The mean number of stitches/staples and duration required for the closure of rumen were 11.66 plus-minus 0.33 and 6.79 plus- minus 0.7 minutes in group-A and 10 plus-minus 0.25 and 0.73 plus minus 0.06 minutes in group-B. The mean duration required for closure of ruminal incision in group-A was significantly more (P less than 0.01) than group B. The mean number of stitches and duration required for closure of abdominal incision were 28.5 plus-minus 0.92 and 14.20 plus-minus 0.84 minutes in group-A and 28.5 plus-minus 0.84 and 14.20 plus minus in group-B. The value of body temperature, pulse rate and respiratory rate were not significantly different in all goats. There was no significant difference for time taken to first passage of faeces and urine in group-A as compared to group- B. There was no clinical evidence of peritonitis, evisceration, incision hernia and sinus formation in any goat. However, inflammation, tearing of tissues and loss of suture material were observed in both groups. There was no significant difference for inflammation; loss of suture material and tearing of tissues on laparotomy wound closure in group-A as compared to group-B. During necropsy examination at 15, 60 and 180 days after surgery. There were no complications such as leakage from ruminal closure, breakdown or loss of suture line except adhesions. Adhesion percentage was more in group-A than group-B on 15 days. After surgery adhesion percentage was less in group-A than group-B on 60 and 180 days after surgery. Gross examination after cross section of ruminal incision sites at day 15th in group- A revealed that chromic catgut had migrated from mucosal to submucosa and serosa to tunica muscularis and then buried by fibroblasts, plasma cells and collagen tissue in tunica muscularis. Where as in Group-B all staples were present and teared the tunica serosa and tunica muscularis and migrated towards mucosal, incision wound and teared gaps in tunica serosa and muscularis were filled by fibroblasts, plasma cells, collagen tissue and macrophages. On 60th day chromic, catgut used in group-A was partially absorbed and totally buried in submucosa and tunica suscularis. Where and staples used in group-B teared more towards the mucosa and few staples were missing. The teared clap was filled with fibrous tissue, collagen and plasma cells. On 180th day, chromic catgut used in group-A was completely absorbed and wound edges were healed. Where as staples dragged all layers of the rumen and excreted through faeces. Two staples only in one goat encapsulated into ruminal wall. All incision sites were examined histologically for alignment of tissue planes and evidence of inflammation. Histological evidence of inflammation was less severe in stapled closure. Staple technique was most consistent in its alignment of tissue planes it was better than the appositional 2-layer technique.