Effect of water temperature on the hydrolysis of two absorbable sutures used in fish surgery

Abstract

Persistence of absorbable sutures in fishes in waters below 10 °C affects surgical decisions including approach, closure strategy, and suture selection. We hypothesized that the rate of suture hydrolysis would vary directly with water temperature. Two absorbable monofilament 3-0 suture materials used in fish surgery, poliglecaprone (Monocryl™) and polyglyconate (Maxon™), were evaluated. The maximum tensile load (strength) was measured for suture loops ( n = 6) maintained in filtered city water for 2, 4, 6, or 8 weeks at 4, 25, or 37 °C. For Maxon™ at 4 or 25 °C, tensile strength did not decrease over time. However, for Monocryl™ at 4 °C, 2-, 4-, and 8-week loops were stronger than baseline loops. At 25 °C, tensile strength of the suture material declined after 2 weeks. Also, at 37 °C, the optimal design temperature for both suture materials, the strength of Maxon™ decreased at 6 and 8 weeks. Two 4-week loops of Monocryl™ disintegrated when handled, and after 6 and 8 weeks, all were untestable. This study confirms that absorbable sutures lose strength more slowly at ambient temperatures lower than the optimal design temperature (e.g., human body temperature) and will likely be retained longer in fishes living in waters below 25 °C.

Phacoemulsification cataract surgery in the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta): surgical technique and outcomes in 10 cases

“…A study comparing tissue reactions to chromic gut, polyglyconate, polyglactin 910, and polyglecaprone used to close skin incisions in loggerhead turtles detected a slightly greater reaction to polyglactin 910 than to the other sutures, but a marked reaction in all . Additionally, environmental temperatures lower than 37°C increase breakdown time for sutures degraded by hydrolysis, explaining the prolonged time required for spontaneous suture sloughing in case 7. Taken together, the authors’ experience suggests that there is significantly less morbidity associated with sutureless corneal incisions in loggerhead turtles and corneal incisions that do not require sutures should be created if at all possible.…”

Estimating incision healing rate for surgically implanted acoustic transmitters from recaptured fish

“…In fishes, suture retention increases at low temperatures and slows healing [5,8,28]. A trade-off exists, though, because while high temperatures promote a faster healing rate than low temperatures, a higher risk of inflammation and infection can also occur at high temperatures.…”

Cirurgia em peixes

“…Assim como os mamíferos terrestres, os peixes também passam por procedimentos cirúrgicos, como implantação de telemetria; remoção, avaliação ou biópsia de órgãos internos e externos; e remoção de materiais estranhos (Cannizzo, et al, 2016).…”

“…Para projetos envolvendo peixes que não serão recapturados, a retenção da sutura ao ponto de descamação (não absorção) deve ser antecipada (Harms & Lewbart, 2000). Retenção de sutura e inflamação associada pode alterar o comportamento dos peixes, o crescimento, o desempenho da natação e a capacidade de sobrevivência (Cannizzo, 2016).…”