Do synthetic absorbable sutures cause less uterine tissue reactions than catgut in bovine caesarean sections?
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: PICO question: In bovines undergoing caesarean section does the use of synthetic absorbable uterine sutures compared with catgut result in less uterine tissue reactions? Category of research: Treatment. Number and type of study designs reviewed: Three studies were critically appraised. Two were non-randomised controlled trials and one was a randomised controlled trial. Strength of evidence: Weak. Outcomes reported: One study found no difference in the incidence of uterine adhesions between plain catgut and polyglactin 910. Two other studies, which were both conducted on the same group of animals using chromic catgut and polyglycolic acid (PGA), demonstrated a lower incidence and severity of uterine adhesions, as well as reduced histopathological indicators of uterine tissue damage, with polyglycolic acid sutures compared to chromic catgut. Conclusion: There is limited evidence concerning the difference in uterine tissue reactions caused when using catgut or a synthetic uterine suture material in bovine caesarean surgeries. The lack of comparability between the relevant studies in terms of population characteristics and type of suture material used (chromic and plain catgut) does not allow a clear conclusion to be made. In addition, uterine adhesion formation is likely to be multifactorial and there is no overall clear indication that the use of synthetic absorbable suture materials is superior in terms of reduced uterine tissue reactions. There are several other papers of interest which may provide further evidence, but these are not available in English and are therefore outside the scope of this Knowledge Summary. How to apply this evidence in practice The application of evidence into practice should take into account multiple factors, not limited to: individual clinical expertise, patient's circumstances and owners' values, country, location or clinic where you work, the individual case in front of you, the availability of therapies and resources.Knowledge Summaries are a resource to help reinforce or inform decision making. They do not override the responsibility or judgement of the practitioner to do what is best for the animal in their care.
Source: Veterinary Evidence
Author: Tom Woods
Institution: University of Edinburgh
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7225630293