Closure of gastrointestinal incisions using skin staples alone and in combination with suture in 29 cats

To report the use of skin staples alone, and in combination with sutures, for closure of gastrointestinal incisions in cats and to describe outcomes.

Retrospective study of cats that underwent gastrotomy, jejunotomy, jejunal or colonic anastomosis using skin staples alone or in combination with sutures to close the enteric wounds at one referral hospital between 2001 and 2016. Data regarding patient signalment, duration of clinical signs, indication for surgery, diagnosis, haematological and biochemical values, surgical time, procedure, complications and outcome were collected. All the gastrotomies and some of the large intestine incisions were closed in a hybrid technique using two layers (monofilament suture and skin staples). All the small intestine and some of the large intestinal incisions were closed in a single layer using skin staples.

Twenty-nine cats were included in the study. Indications for surgery included foreign body (14/29), neoplasia (6/29) and idiopathic megacolon (9/29). Overall, 26 of 29 (~90%) of cases survived to discharge. One cat had postoperative cardiopulmonary arrest, and 2/29 cats were euthanased at the owner's request. There was no evidence of incisional dehiscence in any case.

Skin staplers are safe, reliable, affordable and effective for closure of gastrointestinal incisions in cats. We found skin staples can be a useful tool in closure of gastrotomies and large intestinal resection and anastomosis procedures in cats.