10/21/2026
Dr. Michelle Maguire had a long night repairing this laceration! 🩺🐴 Any guesses how many hours it took to put this one back together? Drop your guesses in the comments! 👇
Finn presented to PBEC after he sustained an extensive laceration over the right side of his mid thorax, abdomen, and thigh. The laceration extended through both the external and internal abdominal oblique muscles, leaving the transverse abdominal muscle visible over the right flank and the tensor fascia latae visible over the right thigh. Luckily, the thoracic and abdominal cavities were not penetrated. A walking suture technique was used to reappose the lacerated skin edges.
What are “walking sutures”?
Walking sutures are an effective technique used to reduce dead space and redistribute tension during wound closure.
By securing the subcutaneous tissue to the underlying fascia or other stable tissue, each suture bite advances the tissues toward the desired position— essentially “walking” it into place.
Why use them?
- Reduce dead space: minimize potential spaces where fluid can accumulate.
- Redistribute tension: transfer forces away from the skin incision to deeper supporting tissues.
- Improve tissue apposition: help eliminate tissue redundancy and bring wound margins together.
- Support wound closure: Particularly useful for large incisions, areas of tissue mobility, and wounds under significant tension.
The key principle: Walking sutures are placed sequentially to progressively advance and secure tissue, rather than relying on the skin closure alone to resist tension.
Palm Beach Equine Clinic team wishes Finn a speedy recovery! Thank you to his owners for trusting our team to care for your sweet boy!
