Comparison of silk and polyglycolic acid sutures for the repair of urethral incision in male goats

The study was carried out on 9 male goats (6–9 months old) weighing 10–15 kg, divided into 3 equal groups, to compare the suitability of polyglycolic acid (PGA) and silk sutures for the repair of urethral incision. Post-scrotal urethrotomy was performed in all the animals. The urethral incision was then closed using PGA in group I and silk in group II. In the animals of group III, urethra was left unsutured (control). The animals were observed for clinical, haematological, biochemical, radiographic and histopathological parameters. The heart rate, respiratory rate and rectal temperature increased significantly (P<0.05) only in group III. The scores for swelling, exudation and urine leakage were maximum in animals of group III followed by groups II and I. Significant (P<0.05) increase was recorded in Hb, PCV, TEC, TLC with neutrophilia and lymphocytopenia in group III. Significant (P<0.05) increase in AST, ALT, AP, BUN, creatinine, globulin, and glucose, and significant (P<0.05) decrease in TPP and albumin in group III were recorded. Changes in these parameters were more pronounced in group II as compared to group I. Retrograde positive contrast urethrography showed a small quantity of contrast material infiltrated into subcutaneous space in one animal in group II. All the animals of group III died before the full term. Histopathological evaluation suggested better healing of urethral mucosa with least inflammatory reaction in the animals of group I that in group II. It was concluded that leaving the urethra un-sutured even after catheterization may lead to fatal complications. PGA is a better material than silk for the urethral repair in goats.