Conventional running suture and continuous double loop closure: an experimental study of wound strength

Objective: To study the strength of laparotomy wounds closed by a continuou s double loop technique or a conventional running suture, taking into accou nt the ratio of suture length: wound length. Design: Experimental study. Animals: 60 Sprague-Dawley rats. Interventions: Midline laparotomy incisions were closed with either a conve ntional running suture or a continuous double loop. Wounds were allocated t o closure with a suture length: wound length ratio of 3, 4 and 7. Main outcome measures: Bursting pressure, bursting volume and the way the s uture cut through the tissues. Results: With a suture length: wound length ratio of 3 or 4 bursting pressu re and bursting volume were lower with a continuous double loop closure. A conventional running suture and a continuous double loop produced similar b ursting pressure and bursting volume only if closure was with a ratio of 7. Conclusions: Wound bursting strength is higher with a conventional running suture than with a continuous double loop closure when the effect of the su ture length: wound length ratio is accounted for.