COMPARISON OF ABSORBABLE SUTURES USED IN LARGEMOUTH BASS LIVER-BIOPSYSURGERY

Longevity of and healing response to absorbable sutures made of natura l gut, chromic-acid-treated gut, polyglactin 910, and polydioxanone mo nofilament were evaluated for 8 weeks following liver biopsy surgery o n largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Gut sutures were absorbed i n 5 weeks and incisions healed in 6 weeks (at 18 degrees C water tempe rature). Polyglactin 910 sutures were absorbed in 7 weeks and incision s healed in 8 weeks. Monofilament sutures were intact after 8 weeks bu t incisions healed in 3 weeks. Chromic gut sutures are suitable when h ealing is expected to be rapid (< 4 weeks). Polyglactin 910 sutures ar e suitable when healing is likely to be slower (less than or equal to 8 weeks). Monofilament sutures offer extended incision support (> 8 we eks), the most rapid healing (3 weeks), and the greatest economy.