A Comparison of Three Techniques for Closure of Pelvic Flexure Enterotomies in Normal Equine Colon

Six enterotomies 3 cm long, spaced at 3 cm intervals, were made in the antimesenteric border of the pelvic flexure of the ascending colon in five adult horses. Ten incisions each were sutured with a Utrecht pattern (single layer), a full-thickness simple continuous oversewn with a Cushing pattern (two layer), and a mucosal simple continuous with a seromuscular simple continuous oversewn with a Cushing pattern (three layer). In all horses, chromic gut and polyglactin 910 were each used once for each pattern. On day 6, the pelvic flexure was excised and the colonic vessels were injected with a radio-opaque mass. Sections of each enterotomy were studied by light microscopy and high detail radiography. The single-layer closure led to serosa-to-mucosa healing and a thin bowel wall, and the three-layer closure resulted in distortion of the bowel wall by hematoma formation and submucosal contamination with ingesta. The two-layer closure resulted in good alignment and improved healing. There was less inflammatory reaction with polyglactin 910 than with chromic gut.     

Tissue Reaction to Suture Material in the Feline Linea Alba A Retrospective, Prospective, and Histologic Study

Swelling and inflammation along the incision line were observed after elective ovariohysterectomy in 22 of 66 cats in a retrospective study. In a prospective study of 99 feline abdominal incisions closed with surgical gut, polyglactin 910, or polydioxanone, with and without subcutaneous closure, the least inflammation occurred when the linea alba was sutured with polyglactin 910 and the subcutaneous tissues were not sutured. Histologically, reactions in the linea alba of 12 other cats progressed from purulent to fibromononuclear to fibrous within 14 days after closure with gut, polyglactin 910, and polydioxanone. Microscopic evidence of seroma formation in 9 of 12 animals in which the subcutaneous tissue was not sutured suggested that surgical closure of subcutaneous dead space was indicated. The inflammatory reaction did not appear to be related to any one suture material as reactions were seen with all of them.     

Repair of urethral defects using fascia lata autografts in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of urethroplasty using a free fascia lata (FL) graft in the dog. STUDY DESIGN: In vivo experimental study. ANIMALS: Mixed-breed dogs (n=14). METHODS: Half of the circumference of the urethra, approximately 1.5 cm long, was excised in 14 male dogs to induce a urethral defect. FL (approximately 2 cm x 2 cm) harvested from the lateral thigh was sutured to the urethra using a 3-0 polyglactin 910 continuous pattern. Dogs were monitored daily for bladder distention and had urethral catheters until normal voiding was observed. On day 60, each dog had a positive contrast urethrogram, and then 8 dogs were euthanatized for gross and histologic examination. Six dogs were monitored for urologic problems for 6 months, and a positive contrast urethrogram was repeated. RESULTS: All dogs recovered successfully; 4 dogs had difficulty voiding for 2-3 days and urine was aspirated from these dogs every 3 hours until signs of painful urination disappeared. On positive contrast urethrograms, urethral anatomy was considered normal except in 4 dogs that had an irregular contour. Gross urethral examination confirmed an absence of ulceration, stricture, diverticula, or fistula formation, and the FL-lined graft survived in all dogs. No degenerative and reparative responses were observed. On histologic examination of the penile urethra, the lumen was intact, covered with transitional epithelium, and surrounded by corpus spongiosum with cavernous spaces and blood-filled vessels. CONCLUSIONS: Free FL grafts are incorporated satisfactorily and would appear to be useful for repairing urethral defects. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: FL grafts should be considered for repair of urethral defects in dogs.     

Urinary Bladder Incisions in Dogs Comparison of Ventral and Dorsal

The occurrence of postoperative adhesions following ventral (20 dogs) or dorsal (12 dogs) urinary bladder incisions was evaluated. The bladder incisions were sutured with 3–0 polydioxanone suture material in a two-layer closure. Laparotomy (no urinary bladder incision) was performed in four dogs, which served as controls. The surgical sites were examined 1 (30 dogs) and 2 weeks (6 dogs) after surgery. Omental adherence to the urinary bladder was a frequent finding, but none of the urinary bladders was adhered to the ventral abdominal wall incision.     

Comparison of gross and histologic tissue responses of skin incisions closed by use of absorbable subcuticular staples, cutaneous metal staples, and polyglactin 910 suture in pigs

OBJECTIVE: To assess gross and histologic tissue responses of skin incisions closed by use of absorbable subcuticular staples, cutaneous metal staples, and polyglactin 910 suture in pigs. ANIMALS: 8 purpose-bred disease-free pigs. PROCEDURE: Pigs were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 groups from which tissues were collected after death on postoperative days (PODs) 7, 14, 21, or 42. In each pig, 4 incisions were made; 1 was closed subcuticularly with 3-0 polyglactin 910 suture, 1 was closed with metal staples, and 2 were closed with absorbable subcuticular staples. Incision sites were grossly evaluated every 3 days after closure. At necropsy, incision sites and surrounding tissues were examined histologically; a histopathologic scoring system was used to quantitate healing and tissue response directed against the closure material. RESULTS: Postoperatively, the metal staples induced a severe inflammatory response, compared with minimal inflammation associated with the suture or absorbable subcuticular staples. Histologic evaluation of incisions on PODs 7, 14, and 21 revealed less severe inflammation associated with absorbable subcuticular staples than that associated with the other materials. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that absorbable subcuticular staples induced a less severe inflammatory response in the early stages of healing in pigs, compared with other commonly used methods of wound closure. Use of absorbable staples potentially combines the benefits of subcuticular closure with the speed and precision of staple placement.     

Partial Maxillectomy in the Dog Comparison of Suture Materials and Closure Techniques

This study compares the healing of oronasal defects created by partial maxillectomy when closed using two different suture materials and two different suture patterns. In experiment 1, 24 dogs were divided into four equal groups. Partial maxillectomy was performed on each dog and was closed using either a two-layer simple interrupted suture pattern (12 dogs) or a modified Mayo mattress pattern (12 dogs) with either polyglactin 910 (12 dogs) or polypropylene (12 dogs) sutures. On the seventh postoperative day, the dogs were euthanized, suture line bursting pressures were measured, and wound healing was evaluated grossly and histopathologically. Suture line dehiscence occurred in one dog from each of the four groups. These were the only dogs in which electrocoagulation had been used. The healing of suture lines closed with the two-layer simple interrupted pattern was superior to that of those closed with the modified Mayo mattress pattern based on the degree of gross oral ulceration, suppurative inflammation, fibrosis and oral epithelial covering at the suture line, and the number of necrotic sites in the adjacent tissue. The healing of suture lines closed with polypropylene was superior to that of those closed with polyglactin 910 based on suture line bursting pressures and the degree of suppurative inflammation and tissue necrosis at the suture sites. In Experiment 2, partial maxillectomies were performed on four dogs, and closure was achieved using a two-layer simple interrupted suture pattern with either polyglactin 910 (two dogs) or polypropylene (two dogs). On the 30th postoperative day, the dogs were euthanized, and wound healing was evaluated grossly and histopathologically. All suture lines were well healed. All polyglactin 910 oral sutures were absent, while all polypropylene oral sutures were still present.     

Autogenous lamellar corneal grafting in dogs

Lamellar, autogenous, corneal grafts were performed on 9 clinically normal dogs (1 eye in each of 2 dogs and both eyes in each of 7 dogs) and 7 dogs with corneal disease (1 eye in each dog). Nylon, polyglycolic acid, polyglactin 910, and polydioxanone suture materials were used in 8-0 to 10-0 sizes. The eyes of the normal dogs were examined weekly for up to 16 weeks; corneal endothelium was reestablished in all eyes by 6 weeks after surgery. The eyes of the dogs with corneal disease were reexamined periodically for up to 9 months. Twenty-two of 23 (95.7%) grafts were considered successful in that they were translucent, and the dogs were able to see after surgery. The suture materials that caused the least tissue reaction were nylon and polyglactin 910. This procedure is indicated for chronic descemetoceles and other perforating corneal disease. It has the advantage of rapidly resolving severe corneal disease, with a high degree of success.     

Comparison of fibrin glue and suture in the healing of teat incisions in lactating goats

The aims of this study were to investigate whether fibrin glue can be used to close experimentally induced incisions of the teat (mammary papillae) in lactating goats and to compare the healing of the glued with the sutured incisions. Four clinically healthy lactating dairy goats, namely 8 mammary papillae were used. After surgical preparation of the papillae, a 3.5 cm long incision of each papilla was made through skin, muscular layer and mucosa into the papillary sinus. The wounds in the right papillae in all goats were closed with U-shaped uninterrupted 00 chromic catgut sutures. The wounds in the left papillae in all goats were closed, using fibrin glue. One incision was seen to be dehisced and fistulous one day after in fibrin glued teats. The animals were slaughtered 8 days after surgical manipulation. The mammary papillae were removed and examined in the viewpoint on gross and microscopic findings. The healing of wounds was slower and feeble in glued mammary papillary incisions, however faster and stronger in sutured incisions on day 8 after operations. But, available outcomes like less tissue thickness and positive cosmetic results could be obtained byfibrin glue used on mammary papillary incisions, which are very important for teats to be milked by hand and milking machine. Results suggest that it is advisable to use only one or two simple interrupted sutures in teat incisions glued with fibrin to prevent the dehiscence but with a more reliable healing than the sutured incisions.     

Comparison of polyglactin-910 and polydioxanone for closure of the linea alba following caudal ventral midline laparotomy in sheep

This study compared incisional complications after ventral midline laparotomy using 2 absorbable suture materials for apposition of the linea alba in sheep. The linea alba of 93 yearling sheep was sutured by 3 veterinarians in a simple continuous pattern using either polyglactin 910 (PG910; group PG) or polydioxanone (PDS; group PD). A blinded observer assessed surgical sites at the time of suture removal. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the association between incisional complications and variables (suture material used, veterinarian, skin suture removal time). The odds of incisional complications did not vary significantly with the type of suture material used (P = 0.11), veterinarian (P = 0.61) or skin suture removal time (P = 0.36). Most incisional complications were cutaneous suture sinus formation. Either PG910 or PDS may be used for linea alba closure in sheep.     

Reconstruction of the urethra by use of an inverse tubed bipedicled flap in a dog with hypospadias

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 1-year-old castrated male German Shepherd Dog was evaluated because of a history of hematuria and stranguria secondary to recurrent urinary tract infections. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Physical examination revealed hypospadias with penile and preputial aplasia. The urethral orifice was just ventral to the ventral aspect of the anocutaneous junction. Ascending urinary tract infections, secondary to fecal contamination of the urethral orifice, were the presumed source of recurrent bouts of cystitis that developed despite periodic antimicrobial treatment. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: A 1-cm-diameter urethral extension was constructed from the urethral mucosal remnant located along the midline of the perineum (urethral trough). Two parallel 4-cm incisions (3 cm apart) were made lateral to that urethral trough. The borders were sutured to form an inverted, epithelium-lined tube (bipedicled flap) attached to the dorsal urethral orifice. The lateral skin margins were sutured over the reconstructed urethral extension, completing the procedure. Postoperative swelling necessitated temporary catheterization of the urinary bladder. After closure of a small fistula from the reconstructed urethral segment, the dog subsequently had only 2 episodes of cystitis during a 3-year period. To minimize skin irritation secondary to urine exposure, the dog's owner regularly trimmed the hair around the new urethral orifice. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In dogs, correction of perineal (subanal) hypospadias via urethral reconstruction should be considered among treatment options. By use of an inverse tubed urethral extension, direct fecal contamination to the lower urinary tract may be effectively eliminated, dramatically reducing the incidence of ascending urinary tract infections in dogs with hypospadias.     

犬前列腺摘除术的2种通路及关键技术探索

为了探索犬前列腺摘除术的不同通路及其关键技术,选择3～5月龄、3～5 kg体重的4只杂交犬,分成1、2组,分别采用翻开耻骨片和经腹底部正中切口牵拉膀胱以暴露前列腺的手术通路,对前列腺进行完整摘除后作尿道断端吻合,术后观察犬的精神、食欲、饮欲、排便、排尿等情况,并于术后第3周进行剖检,观察膀胱及尿道断端的愈合情况。结果显示,采用上述2种手术通路进行前列腺摘除后,试验犬的精神、食欲、饮欲、排便、排尿等一切正常,膀胱有少量出血点,尿道吻合处愈合良好。试验结果表明,采用6-0单丝尼龙线和结节缝合法是吻合尿道断端的可靠方法,而使用盆腔脂肪组织覆盖尿道吻合处能够有效地预防吻合处漏尿且与周围组织黏连,是保证吻合处良好愈合的有利因素。     

Clinical Experience With Polydioxanone Suture Material

Polydioxanone (PDS™) synthetic absorbable suture material was evaluated in 169 dogs and cats. Sutures or ligatures were used on 446 tissues including 18 contaminated and 16 infected wounds. There was less tissue friction than with polyglycolic acid or polyglactin 910 sutures. The suture tended to kink during placement of continuous suture patterns. There was one wound dehiscence.
Polydioxanone may be used wherever surgical gut, polyglycolic acid, or polyglactin 910 sutures are normally used.     

Implantation of synthetic mesh for the closing of abdominal wall ruptures in the ventral flank of cows: a retrospective study of 16 cases

In this paper the technique and long-term results for abdominal wall ruptures in the ventral flank are described in 16 cows that underwent surgery between January 1990 and October 1999. Most injuries were caused by a horn of another cow. In three cases the rupture was repaired longer than 6 weeks after traumatic injury. The other defects were treated surgically 6.4 (0-25) days after they occurred. The muscle defects were closed layer by layer with simple continuous sutures (polyglactin 910, 6 metric) under general anesthesia in lateral recumbency and the sutured defect was reinforced with a synthetic mesh (polyester or polyglactin 910) fixed to the outside of the external oblique abdominal muscle. The most frequent postoperative complication was subcutaneous seroma. It was treated successfully by incision and drainage. All patients were released 11.6 +/- 5.5 (6-23) days after surgery. A telephone survey 53 +/- 26 (7-106) months after surgery revealed that the patients had an average survival time of 30 (2-104) months, had born one to seven calves without any complications and that only one cow had had an unsatisfactory milk yield. One cow had to be slaughtered 2 months after surgery because of a relapse. Synthetic mesh was used successfully to close the defect in 15 animals. The functional as well as the cosmetic result of the described operation was good to excellent.     

Effects of teat cistern mural biopsy and teatoscopy stab versus longitudinal incision with or without tube implant on incisional healing in lactating dairy cattle

Effects of teat cistern mural biopsy and full-thickness stab and longitudinal incisional healing were evaluated experimentally on clinically normal teats in 12 lactating dairy cattle. Each teat on each cow was assigned by Latin-square design to 1 of 4 surgical interventions: (I) teatoscopy only; (II) teatoscopy, stab incision, and mural biopsy; (III) longitudinal incision and mural biopsy; and (IV) longitudinal incision, mural biopsy, and tube implantation. Teatoscopy was done with a 4-mm OD arthroscope introduced through the teat canal and attached to a television camera. Teatoscopy was quicker to perform and provided a more detailed videotaped examination of the teat and gland cistern, compared with gross inspection through a longitudinal incision. In intervention-II cows, the Ferris-Smith biopsy instrument jaws introduced through a longitudinal 1-cm midteat stab incision were easy to visualize and manipulate accurately. Stab incisions closed with only 1 or 2 skin sutures healed without complications in all 12 teats. On palpation, stab incisions were significantly (P less than 0.01) less thick than longitudinal incisions at 8 weeks and were microscopically indistinguishable from the normal tissue. However, in 24 teatoscopically examined teats, 9 (38%) had microscopic evidence of teat canal injury and 12 (50%) of the quarters developed mastitis. This was attributed to trauma resulting from introduction of the arthroscope through the teat canal. Intervention III yielded satisfactory results with the least complications. All 12 longitudinal incisions healed by primary intention, and all teats remained patent. Mastitis developed in 4 (33%) quarters. Intervention IV caused considerable complications associated with the tube implant and no improvement in biopsy site healing, compared with interventions II and III. Eleven longitudinal incisions healed by primary intention. One incision dehisced, 2 (17%) tube implants dislodged, 2 (17%) became obstructed proximally, and irritations of the mucous membrane developed in 2 teats proximally and in 6 teats distally. Mastitis developed in 6 (50%) quarters. Longitudinal incisions healed with moderate submucosal fibrosis. All sutured incisions had multifocal microgranulomata in which suture material was in various stages of degradation. At 8 weeks, localized teat wall thickening could be detected at incisional and biopsy sites, but did not obstruct milk flow. Excessive granulation tissue was at the biopsy sites (72 total) at 2 weeks, and at this time, the sites were partially covered by metaplastic squamous epithelium. However, by 8 weeks, 71 (98%) of the areas were replaced by fibrous tissue with minimal protrusion into the teat cistern.     

Cutaneous Wound Healing in Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Wound healing in five dogs and five cats affected with a connective tissue dysplasia resembling Ehlers-Danlos syndrome of humans was compared with wound healing in 10 nonaffected animals. Six skin incisions on the lateral aspects of the thorax and abdomen of each animal were sutured and assessed daily for 75 days for evidence of healing. All wounds in nonaffected dogs, affected cats, and nonaffected cats healed by first intention. Three incisions in affected dogs had dehiscence of all or part of the incision line and healed by granulation, contraction, and epithelialization. Biopsies taken at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 75 days were compared histologically to determine if there were any differences in rates of healing between affected and nonaffected animals. Epidermal thickening and scab formation were noted at days 3 and 6 in both affected and nonaffected animals. Infiltration with mononuclear cells and fibroplasia steadily increased from day 6 to day 15 in all groups. Collagen fibril formation was evident by day 9. At day 75, incision sites were recognized by fine, more compact collagen bundles and lack of adnexal structures, as compared with the adjacent dermis in both affected and nonaffected animals. Although delayed wound healing has been reported to be a complication of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in humans, using clinical and histologic criteria, wound healing in dogs and cats with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome appears to be similar to nonaffected animals.     

Difference in incisional complications following exploratory celiotomies using antibacterial‐coated suture material for subcutaneous closure: Prospective randomised study in 100 horses

Reasons for performing study: Incisional complications are a major post operative challenge following ventral midline exploratory celiotomy for abdominal pain in horses. They lead to discomfort, prolonged hospitalisation, longer recovery times and increased cost; therefore, investigation of preventative procedures are warranted. Objectives: To determine the clinical effect of antibacterial (triclosan) coated 2‐0 polyglactin 910 suture material on the likelihood of incisional infections when used for closure of subcutaneous tissue following ventral midline celiotomies in horses. Methods: One hundred horses undergoing exploratory celiotomy assigned at random to one of 2 groups. In the control group coated 2‐0 polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) was used for apposition of the subcutaneous tissue in a simple continuous pattern and, in the study group, antibacterial (triclosan) coated 2‐0 polyglactin 910 suture material (Vicryl Plus) was used. Post operatively an elastic adhesive abdominal bandage was applied, changed and the incision was inspected by a clinician blinded to the study protocol at 24–36 h and 6–9 days post operatively. Outcomes of interest were evidence of incisional pain, incisional oedema, sheath/udder oedema, incisional drainage, hernia formation and dehiscence. Results: Antibacterial‐coated suture material did not decrease the likelihood of incisional complications in 100 horses. Conclusions: A beneficial effect on ventral midline incisions in 100 horses was not evident by using antibacterial‐coated suture material. Potential relevance: Lack of effectiveness of antibacterial‐coated suture material in equine ventral midline closure after exploratory celiotomy and the observed potential adverse effects suggest that further clinical investigations are needed before using such material routinely on horses.     

Colopexy of the Left Large Colon to the Right Large Colon in the Horse

Three colopexy techniques were examined in 11 normal horses to determine which would prevent recurrence of targe colon displacement and volvulus. The medial free band of the left ventral colon was sutured to the medial free band of the right ventral colon (technique A). The free band of the left dorsal colon was sutured to the free band of the right dorsal colon (technique B). In technique C, both the ventral and dorsal colon were sutured as in techniques A and B, and the pelvic flexure was sutured to the mesocolon between the right dorsal and right ventral colon. Absorbable (surgical gut) and nonabsorbable (polypropylene) suture material were compared.
One horse from each group was euthanized 2 weeks and 6 months after surgery. The position of the colon and the integrity of the colopexy were examined. At necropsy, attempts were made to produce displacement and volvulus of the colon. In the remaining horses, exploratory celiotomy 1 year after surgery was used to examine the integrity of the colopexy.
Although all horses initially lost weight after surgery, all but one began gaining weight 2 to 4 weeks later and had attained their preoperative weight by 6 months. The horse that continued to lose weight was euthanized 2 months after surgery. Numerous small colon, omental, and large colon adhesions were found at necropsy.
For all colopexy techniques, the colopexy adhesion remained short and intact at polypropylene suture sites. At surgical gut sites, the adhesion had lengthened by 6 months and was absent at 1 year. At necropsy, all colopexies prevented manual displacement of the large colon and volvulus of the colon at the sternal and diaphragmatic flexures. The colopexies did not prevent manual creation of volvulus at the base of the colon. Technique A was the easiest to perform.     

Extraction of urethral calculi by transabdominal cystoscopy and urethroscopy in nine dogs

Objectives : To describe a minimally invasive technique for treating urethral obstructions in male dogs and to review the postoperative results. Methods : All dogs (n=9) had urethral obstruction due to calculi. Obstructions were verified by radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations. Dogs with impaired kidney function were not included in the study. A 5‐mm diameter trocar and cannula were placed in the ventral midline, 2 cm cranial to the umbilicus, allowing placement of a 10‐mm diameter cannula under visual guidance, adjacent to the apex of the bladder. The bladder was then partially exteriorised and sutured to the skin. A 5‐mm diameter cystoscopy sheath was introduced into the bladder lumen and advanced into the urethra. Continuous retrograde flushing was used to dislodge the calculi from the site of obstruction and collect them upstream. Results : The nine dogs were followed up for a minimum of 6 months. No major postoperative complications were identified. One dog exhibited transient macroscopic haematuria (for 3 weeks postoperatively). All urethral calculi were removed in the nine dogs. No recurrence was found during the follow‐up period. Clinical Significance : A minimally invasive approach is used to treat urethral obstructions resulting from calculi in the male dogs.     

Comparison of Stainless Steel Fascial Staples and Polypropylene Suture Material for Closure of the Linea Alba in Dogs

Five centimeter segments of the linea alba in mature, female, mixed breed dogs were incised and then approximated with either stainless steel fascial staples or size 0 polypropylene suture material. Breaking strength of the linea alba closures was determined at 0 (Phase I, 18 dogs) and at 7,14, and 31 days (Phase II, 18 dogs). Histology and videointeractive planar morphometry were used to evaluate healing of the linea alba. Breaking strength and histologic and morphometric variables were analyzed statistically using analysis of variance in a split plot design. In a clinical trial, 20 cm linea alba incisions were approximated with stainless steel fascial staples after elective ovariohysterectomy in mature, female, mixed breed dogs (Phase III, eight dogs). The dogs were evaluated at 1, 2, 7,14, 31, 90, and 180 days. Linea alba incisions approximated with polypropylene suture material were significantly stronger than linea alba incisions approximated with stainless steel fascial staples on day 0. There was no significant difference between breaking strength values, histologic, and morphometric appearance of linea alba incisions closed with stainless steel fascial staples or polypropylene suture material when compared 7,14, and 31 days after surgery. All of the dogs in the clinical trial appeared to be normal at all evaluation times. Approximation of linea alba incisions with stainless steel fascial staples compares favorably to closure with a simple continuous pattern of polypropylene suture material with regard to breaking strength, clinical, histologic, and morphometric appearance.     

Comparison of the effects of the CO2 surgical laser and conventional surgical techniques on healing and wound tensile strength of skin flaps in the dog

OBJECTIVE: To determine if CO(2) laser was superior to conventional surgical techniques (CST) for creation of skin flaps in dogs as determined by hemostasis, wound healing, and wound tensile strength. STUDY DESIGN: In-vivo model ANIMALS: Six large, mixed-breed dogs. METHODS: On each dog's trunk, 3 pairs of identical, dorsally based, pedicled skin flaps were created and sutured back into position. Based on a Latin Square design, flaps on one side were created with a CO(2) laser and on the other side by CST. Intraoperative hemorrhage was measured by weighing sponges used to absorb blood. On days 7, 10, and 14, specimens from the flap-skin junction and the central portion of each pair of flaps were collected. Specimens were subjected to tensile strength testing and histologic examination to evaluate wound healing. RESULTS: Mean (+/- standard error of mean [SEM]) hemorrhage was significantly less (P =.02) with CO(2) laser (4.70 +/- 1.37 g) than CST (10.82 +/- 1.37 g). Wound tensile strength (N/m(2)) after CST (0.49 +/- 0.049) was significantly greater (P =.01) than with CO(2) laser (0.17 +/- 0.049). Laser incisions had partial necrosis of the wound edges and a more extensive inflammatory response; however, healing of the wound beds were similar regardless of technique. CONCLUSIONS: The CO(2) laser provided better intraoperative hemostasis than CST. However, overall healing and increase in tensile strength of the skin-flap junction of the flaps created by the laser may be delayed during the first few weeks of wound healing. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Skin flaps used to repair large skin defects in dogs can be created and elevated with a CO(2) laser. In areas of increased skin mobility or tension, skin flaps created with CO(2) laser may be more susceptible to complications such as dehiscence, and care should be taken to minimize these complications.