Evaluation of the physical properties and cutaneous tissue reaction of spear (Sansevieria cylindrica) and goldband (Sansevieria trifasciata) snake plant leaf derived sutures in cats / by Ronald Allan D. Almodovar.

Thesis ( Doctor of Veterinary Medicine ) Cavite State University

Includes bibliographical references.

College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VETMET)

ALMODOVAR, RONALD ALLAN DR., Evaluation of the Physical Properties and Cutaneous Tissue Reaction of Spear (Sansevieria cylindrica) and Goldband (Sansevieria trifasciata) Snake Plant Leaf Derived Sutures in Cats. Undergraduate Thesis. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite, October 2014. Adviser: Dr. Chester Joshua V. Saldana
A study was conducted to determine the physical properties and cutaneous tissue reactions of Sansevieria cylindrica, Sansevieria trifasciata leaf derived sutures in comparison with silk sutures in surgically incised wounds in cats. The physical properties of the S. cylindrica, S. trifasciata leaf derived sutures with silk were observed by subjecting it to physical property tests. On the other hand, the cutaneous tissue reactions produced by the sutures were grossly observed based on swelling, hyperemia and wound apposition and were graded daily up to day 14. Moreover, the presence of the inflammatory cells, hemorrhage and granulation tissue were also described. Results on the physical property tests revealed that the tensile strength of Sansevieria cylindrica leaf derived suture had an average of 1.74 kgf which is higher compared to Sansevieria trifasciata (1.53 kgf) but not with silk (5.52 kgf). With regards to elongation, Sansevieria cylindrica had higher elongation percentage (3.6 %) than Sansevieria trifasciata (2.1 %) compared to silk suture. Moreover, the capillarity of silk suture was higher than both Sansevieria leaf derived sutures. Swelling was observed in all the sutures tested at day 1 which persisted to day 6 post-operation for Sansevieria cylindrica and Sansevieria trifasciata leaf derived sutures ,while, swelling for the silk suture persisted only until day 5 post-operation. It was observed that skin incisions closed with Sanseveria cylindrica and Sansevieria trifasciata leaf derived sutures exhibited hyperemia which persisted until three days.
On the first five days after surgery, the incisions were partially attached for Sansevieria cylindrica and Sansevieria trifasciata derived sutures and complete apposition was achieved from day 7 to day 14. In general, most of the changes in the skin were observed during the first week after surgery. Histological examination of sections revealed that the inflammatory and hemorrhagic cells of the sutured skin varies from grade 2 (31- 60 cells/hp° to grade 3 (>60 cells/hpf) for both Sansevieria cylindrica and S. trifasciata leaf derived sutures and silk suture. At day 14, the number of red blood cells increased in all groups. On the other hand, granulation tissue was present in all the tissue sections at day 7 and disappeared in day 14.
Based on the results of the physical property tests, Sansevieria cylindrica was better in terms of tensile strength and elongation percentage but has higher capillarity than S. trifasciata. The inflammation, hemorrhage and granulation tissue formation were observed in both Sansevieria cylindrica and Sansevieria trifasciata leaf derived sutures but comparable with silk suture. The result suggests that the snake plant derived-suture can be used for skin apposition for muscle and skin, thus can be used as an alternative to commonly available sutures, since it also allowed wound apposition and healing.

Submitted copy to the University Library. 01/30/2015 T-5662