and Asher. 1974) all King within the 

 I'attN tissue between blubber and 

 muscle. Once in position, the suture 

 ends were temporarily fused, each 

 suture forming a ring enclosing the 

 dorsal ridge (Figure 1). Each surgical 

 procedure was done under local an- 

 esthesia, using 2 percent Xylocaine. 



RESULTS 



Both attempts to utilize mesh fabrics 

 were unsuccessful. Because no fascial 

 interface is present between epidermis 

 and dermis, or dermis and hypodermis. 

 in cetaceans, placement of mesh pads 

 under the skin was not accomplished. 

 After attempts were made at two of 

 the operative sites, it became apparent 

 that it would be too difficult to embed 

 the pads properly. In addition, the 

 sutures cut through the epidermis 

 when even light tension was applied, 

 preventing adequate closure of the 

 incision. Because of these problems, 

 the procedure was not completed. 

 Within 5 days, each of the mesh pads 

 had been sloughed. 



The mesh coated sutures did not 

 induce tissue infiltration, but rather, 

 acted as an irritant with a consequent 

 tissue inflammatory response. 



Some drainage from the suture 

 holes was observed on the third post- 

 operative day. and at this time, all 

 four sutures were easily moved back 

 and forth within their tissue bed. The 

 exudate was composed of clear, non- 

 viscous fluid containing tags of white 

 coagulated matter dispersed through- 

 out. Cellular composition was 70 per- 

 cent mature neutrophils and 30 per- 

 cent lytnphocytes. Swabs were taken 

 on the third postoperative day and on 

 two subsequent occasions. No bacteria 

 were found. Daily flushing of each 

 suture site with normal saline and 

 nitrofurazone solution was done for 

 the ne\t three postoperative weeks. At 

 no time did the animal appear sick, 

 nor was there any indication in her 

 blood tests to suggest that an infection 



Figure 2. — Normal healing around polypropylene 

 sutures. 



Figure 1. — Polypropylene sutures in position with ends (used, forming a ring 

 enclosing the dorsal ridge. 



21 



