Effect of a buried knot in the healing process of dental extraction sites: a prospective study in cats

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the buried-knot suture technique on gingival wound healing in cats undergoing dental extractions. We hypothesised that a simple buried-knot interrupted suture would provide a healing advantage at the extraction sites.
Methods: A prospective, randomised, split-mouth design was used, involving 40 cats sequentially included in the study. Each side of the mouth was sutured using simple interrupted sutures, with and without a buried knot. Healing was assessed at 2, 4 and 6 weeks postoperatively through visual inspection of the maxillary sites. Indicators of wound healing, such as swelling, bleeding on inspection, redness of the wound margins, dehiscence, ulceration, exudate, halitosis, pain on palpation, presence of necrotic tissue, flap instability, suture loosening and entrapment of food debris or foreign bodies were recorded.
Results: Although both sutures showed similar mechanical behaviour as assessed through flap stability, dehiscence, suture loosening and the presence of necrotic tissue, the buried-know technique was significantly associated with reduced inflammatory signs, including less swelling, bleeding on inspection, redness of wound margins, ulceration, exudate, halitosis and pain.
Conclusions: The findings suggest that simple interrupted sutures with a buried knot provide a healing advantage in gingival wound closure following dental extractions in cats.