Source
Codd CM, Kwong GPS, Atilla A. Fur apposition technique—a new technique for simple laceration closure in small animals (dogs and cats): a pilot study. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2025:1-7. doi:10.2460/javma.25.04.0278
Research Note
The advantages and disadvantages of many wound closure techniques have been described in veterinary medicine. In human medicine, the hair apposition technique (HAT; ie, a technique in which hair is brought together and glued to allow for tissue apposition when repairing scalp lacerations) may result in reduced scarring, fewer complications, lower pain scores, and shorter repair time, with no difference in wound breakdown, wound healing, or infection rates as compared with standard suturing.
This prospective, nonrandomized, controlled study employed a veterinary version of HAT (fur apposition technique [FAT]) to evaluate feasibility for use in veterinary laceration repairs and to compare healing, repair time, and time to discharge with the standard suturing technique.
Study participants included 10 dogs and 2 cats presented to an emergency clinic with nondirty wounds <10 cm in length involving only the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Participants were assigned to either a standard suturing or FAT group. In the FAT group, small sections of fur were brought together to appose the tissue then glued with an adhesive pen containing 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate until the entire wound was closed.
Results demonstrated a significant reduction in time to discharge in the FAT group as compared with the standard suturing group, attributed to the lack of need for anesthesia in the FAT group. No difference in repair time or wound healing was noted. The authors concluded that FAT may be a feasible alternative for simple laceration repair in dogs and cats; however, due to the small sample size, further research is needed.
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