Background: In this experimental study, simplicity of measurement and wound tensile strength of wounds fixed by simple interrupted percutaneous suture (SIPS) and intradermal running suture (IRS) were compared.
Methods: Twenty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were used for the experiment and separated into two groups: SIPS group and IRS group. Under general anesthesia, two parallel full-thickness (4-cm) skin incisions were made on the back of each rat. Wounds in the SIPS group were closed using 4 interrupted percutaneous sutures, whereas wounds in the IRS group were closed by intradermal running suture. Seven animals from each group were sacrificed at 2 and at 5 days after surgery for tensile strength testing.
Results: The wound tensile strength of IRS wounds was significantly higher than that of SIPS wounds at 2 days (SIPS = 2.9 +/- 0.8 vs. IRS = 3.7 +/- 0.9 g/mm(2), p < 0.05) and at 5 days (SIPS = 5.6 +/- 1.3 vs. IRS = 7.1 +/- 1.2 g/mm(2), p < 0.01). In addition, the measurement of IRS wounds was easier and faster due to removal of only one suture.
Conclusions: These findings highlight the advantages of expanding the use of IRS suturing in experimental studies conducted on rats.
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