Lateral tarsal strip procedure: comparison of absorbable sutures and non-absorbable polypropylene suture. Does the suture type matter?

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

To determine whether the success and complication rates of the Lateral Tarsal Strip (LTS) Procedure, when treating involutional ectropion/entropion, is influenced by the use of suture when attaching the tarsal strip to the periosteum.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

Multi-centre retrospective comparative study of re-operation and complication rates (Recurrence, Dehiscence, Suture Infection, Granuloma, Haemorrhage, Residual-Lid Laxity, Suture Extrusion and Repeat Procedure) in LTS, between 01/01/2017 and 01/01/2022 who met the inclusion/exclusion criteria, for involutional ectropion/entropion using an absorbable polyglactin (vicryl) and non-absorbable polypropylene suture (prolene).

RESULTS

1079 operations in 891 patients (36% female, average age 81.4 years) were performed with an average follow-up of 1.785 years. 588 operations in 475 patients were performed using prolene whilst 491 procedures in 416 patients were performed using vicryl sutures. Of these, 61% were performed by a consultant surgeon in the prolene group compared to 49.7% in the vicryl group. Overall complication rates between prolene and vicryl were 24.7% and 29.7% (p = 0.061) respectively. Higher complication rates for post-operative residual lid laxity, granuloma and suture infection were greater in the vicryl group versus prolene (2.65% and 0.51% p = 0.004, 2.24% and 0.68% p = 0.03, 1.83% and 0.17% p = 0.007 respectively). Non-significant results for dehiscence or repeat procedures (2.24% and 2.21% p = 0.974, 6.72% and 9.01% p = 0.166 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Both sutures are effective for the correction of involutional ectropion/entropion with LTS. Dehiscence and redo rates were not statistically significant. Nevertheless, the use of vicryl suture was found to be associated with a higher complication rate for: post-operative residual lid laxity, granuloma and suture infection.

Evidence for quadratic association between serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration and fertility in dairy cows

In cattle, results of some but not other studies indicated there has been an association of circulating anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration with reproductive variables. Considering the inconsistency in results among previous studies, there was evaluation of associations between circulating AMH and reproductive performance in dairy cows, and to this end, the prevailing data of serum AMH concentration and reproductive variables were used (n = 172). Preliminarily, association of AMH concentration with reproductive indices were analyzed using linear and quadratic models. Subsequently, cows were categorized based on AMH concentrations in four equal quartiles, including cows with the least (Q₁; n = 43), moderately lesser (Q₂; n = 43), moderately greater (Q₃; n = 43) and greatest (Q₄; n = 43) AMH concentrations, and reproductive variables were compared among the respective AMH quartiles. Initially, assessments indicated reproductive variables were not linearly associated with serum AMH (P > 0.05); however, for all reproductive variables except days to first breeding service (DFS) there was a quadratic association with serum AMH (P < 0.05). Results from analysis of reproductive performance in various AMH quartiles indicated there was a longer period of DFS for cows in Q₃ than Q₁ (P < 0.05). First postpartum insemination to conception and calving to conception intervals were shorter for cows in Q₃ than Q₁ and Q₄ (P < 0.05) and for cows in Q₂ than Q₁ (P < 0.05). In conclusion, results from the present study indicate cows with intermediate AMH concentrations had greater reproductive performance.