Effects of suture type and patterns on surgical wound healing in rainbow trout

In two separate experiments we investigated the effects of different types of suture material and patterns on wound healing in rainbow trout Oncorhync hus mykiss with and without transmitter implants. We used absorbable and no nabsorbable monofilament and braided silk sutures in simple interrupted and vertical mattress patterns to close 3-cm incisions on rainbow trout. Braid ed silk sutures and vertical mattress suture patterns caused significantly more tissue inflammation (P < 0.05) as shown by macroscopic analysis. Howev er, there were no significant differences in the histology or strength of t he wounds related to the type of suture material or the type of suture patt ern used. Dummy radio transmitters compounded the inflammatory effect silk had on healing incisions compared with inflammation without transmitters.