Page 22 - Manual of Equine Field Surgery

18 PRESURGICAL PREPARATION AND ASSESSMENT

'4f.wt;;,:t,·,,,,..,_

Figure 3- 7 Continuous horizontal mattress suture

pattern. Used as a tension suture, slight everting

pattern.

- -

-
-
~~t;;,,;t·(MI(,. ~ - -

Figure 3-5 Subcutaneous pattern illustrating the

direction of suture placement in both tl1e beginning

and end of the pattern.

.
.
i. .,
f' ...

A

(. J:_

--it1x'~ , I;~'\-,-~

' 1..:._<~L......~-

B

A B Figure 3-8 A and B, Interrupted vertical mattress

~~~1-a-?.....- pattern.

Figure 3-6 A, Interrupted horizontal mattress

pattern. B, Horizontal mattress suture pattern with bol- tubing or buttons to act as a tension suture.

sters used as a tension suture pattern.
Because of the placement of this pattern, the

sutures have a tendency to reduce the blood

to significant tension (see Figure 3-2). It provides supply to the wound edges. The continuous hor-

good apposition and an airtight or watertight seal. izontal mattress pattern provides necessary

Bites in the wound edges are made at right angles tension for wound edge approximation without

to the edges of the wound. Excess tension causes applying tension to the wound edge itself (see

puckering and strangulation of the skin. Figure 3-7). It is often used as a tensio11-relieving

suture for the wound edge.

Horizontal Mattress Pattern

Vertical Mattress Pattern

The interrupted horizontal mattress pattern can

be everting or appositional depending on the The interrupted vertical mattress pattern can also

depth of suture placement and distance from the be everting or appositional depending on the

wound edges (see Figure 3-6). The pattern is good depth of suture placement and distance from the

for large skin wounds, for wounds with increased wound edges (see Figure 3-8). It is stronger in

tension, and in conjunction with pieces of rubber tissues under tension and less compromising to
.