Tie-over bandage: Photo 5

Most animals will tolerate placing the suture loops by first piercing the skin with a 22g needle and then feeding the suture through the needle. Note that the needle is placed full-thickness through the skin. Subsequent bandage changes usually can be performed without sedation.

A minimum of five loops are needed to provide adequate points of fixation for the umbilical tape. When five loops are used, the umbilical tape can be laced in a “star” pattern.

If more than five loops are used, the umbilical tape can be laced similar to a shoelace. The loops should be large enough to allow easy passage of the umbilical tape using a mosquito hemostat or forceps, yet not so large that they crowd adjacent loops when pulled tight.

If loops are too long, it is difficult to obtain the amount of tension necessary to hold the dressing in place. A common mistake is to leave the umbilical tape too loose, resulting in slippage of the dressing. In addition to holding the dressing in place, the tension on the loops also may provide a degree of skin stretching to aid later in closure.

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Photo 1: Inguinal wound

Photo 2: Inguinal tie-over bandage

Photo 3: Large wound over the dorsum of the trunk

Photo 4: Trunkal tie-over bandage

Photo 5: Alternative technique for suture loop

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