Influence of conventional versus unidirectional barbed suture on leakage pressures in canine vesicourethral anastomosis: An ex-vivo study

ObjectiveTo compare leakage pressures of vesicourethral anastomosis (VUA) performed with conventional and unidirectional barbed sutures in canine cadaveric tissue. Study designExperimental, ex-vivo, randomized study. AnimalsA total of 24 male canine bladders with the urethra. MethodsSpecimens after prostatectomy were randomly divided into a unidirectional barbed suture (UBS) or a conventional suture (C) group. For the UBS group, the VUA was performed with 4-0 unidirectional barbed sutures. For the C group, the VUA was performed with 4-0 monofilament absorbable suture. The VUA was completed with two simple continuous sutures. Surgical time, leakage pressure, site of leakage, and the number of suture bites were recorded. ResultsThe median suturing time was 12.70 minutes (range: 7.50-16.10 min) for the UBS group and 17.30 minutes (range: 14.00-21.30 min) for the C group (p < .0002). The median leakage pressure was 8.60 mmHg (range: 5.00-17.20 mmHg) for the UBS group and 11.70 mmHg (range: 6.00-18.50 mmHg) for the C group (p = .236). The median number of suture bites was 14 (range:11-27) for the UBS group and 19 (range:17-28) for the C group (p = .012). ConclusionUnidirectional barbed suture does not statistically affect the acute leakage pressure of VUA in normal cadaveric specimen. It resulted in a shorter surgical time and fewer suture bite placements. Clinical significanceA urinary catheter will still be required when a unidirectional barbed suture is used to complete a VUA in dogs to prevent extravasation of urine in the postoperative period.