Significantly delayed polyglactin 910 suture-related pseudoinfection in a Yucatan pig

BACKGROUND: Polyglactin 910 is a synthetic braided, absorbable suture commonly used in surgery. Though polyglactin 910 suture-related pseudoinfection is well documented in the human literature, it has not been previously reported in the veterinary literature. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 3-year-old female, ovariectomized but otherwise experimentally naïve Yucatan pig was evaluated for a several week history of bilateral multifocal abscesses in the area of the paralumbar fossa, which continued to worsen despite oral antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. The multi-focal abscesses continued to worsen and additional diagnostics were pursued including cytology, culture (aerobic, anaerobic and fungal), and bloodwork. All supported a non-infectious etiology. Biopsy results indicated a suture-related pseudoinfection. Despite treatment including parenteral antibiotics, pain medications and superficial surgical debridement, the dermatologic lesions worsened. Euthanasia was elected. Post-mortem necropsy demonstrated a suture-related pseudoinfection with extrusion of suture material from the ovarian pedicle ligatures through the body wall and skin leading to numerous sterile abscesses in the bilateral paralumbar fossa. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first published report of a significantly delayed polyglactin 910 suture-related pseudoinfection in a Yucatan pig. While likely an isolated incident, it supports further research into this area. Additionally for critical research studies using Yucatan pigs, pre-surgical assessment with hypersensitivity patch testing may be appropriate.