Veterinary Surgery February 2026 – Soft Tissue Part 1: Feline Perfusion & Barbed Gastropexy Speed

In this Simini Small Animal Surgery Podcast episode, we kick off our soft tissue coverage from the February 2026 issue of Veterinary Surgery with two studies that highlight how small technical decisions can have major physiologic consequences.From cutaneous perfusion in feline closures to time-saving strategies in GDV surgery, these papers challenge everyday assumptions and offer practical ways to improve outcomes in both routine and emergency procedures.In this episode:✅ Bayrakdarian et al. — A controlled, within-animal study evaluating continuous intradermal suture patterns in feline skin using laser Doppler imaging. The traditional horizontal mattress pattern decreased perfusion by 24.1%, while a modified pattern with perpendicular bite orientation increased perfusion by over 115% compared to baseline. The findings suggest that suture orientation—not just tension—plays a critical role in preserving microvascular blood flow in cats. ✅ Chik et al. — A retrospective study of 121 dogs undergoing GDV surgery, comparing barbed suture gastropexy (BSG) to standard incisional gastropexy (SIG). The barbed technique reduced surgical time by ~10 minutes (53.3 vs. 62.6 minutes) without increasing complications, mortality, or recurrence rates. However, 23% of dogs in both groups experienced chronic postoperative GI signs, highlighting that gastropexy prevents rotation—not underlying gastrointestinal disease. Together, these studies reinforce a key concept: how we close—and how efficiently we operate—directly impacts both immediate and long-term patient outcomes.🎓 Journal Articles DiscussedBayrakdarian et al. — Comparison of the effect on blood flow of two intradermal suture patterns in feline skin: A within-animal randomized controlled trialChik et al. — Comparison of short-term outcomes and recurrence rates in dogs undergoing open right-sided barbed suture gastropexy and standard incisional gastropexy for treatment of gastric dilatation-volvulus📚 From the February 2026 issue of Veterinary Surgery🎁 Want to learn more about Simini Protect Lavage or request a sample?Learn More: www.simini.comRequest a Sample:https://www.simini.com/evaluation-kit