COMPARISON OF 7 DIFFERENT SUTURE MATERIALS IN THE FELINE ORAL CAVITY

Seven different suture materials were implanted into the oral tissues of 12 cats. The sutures and surrounding tissues were retrieved en bloc from each of two cats on days one, three, seven, 14, 21, and 28 posti mplantation. Tissue reaction and suture duration were evaluated by gro ss visual observation and histological examination, Chromic gut disapp eared between days three and seven; polyglactin 910 disappeared betwee n days 14 and 21; and polyglycolic acid disappeared as early as seven to 14 days, Polydioxanone still was intact at day 28 and is recommende d as an absorbable material for procedures in which longer healing tim e is anticipated. All the nonabsorbable suture materials (i.e., polypr opylene, stainless steel, and nylon) were intact at day 28 postimplant ation. Visual inspection showed polypropylene to have the least tissue reaction.