Refined wound closure in mouse surgical embryo transfer using a buried subcuticular suture and tissue adhesive
Wound closure after surgical embryo transfer in mice is important for post-operative recovery, embryo implantation and animal welfare. Conventional approaches using external interrupted sutures with multiple layers of tissue adhesive can produce bulky, irritating wounds that mice or their cage companions may disrupt by scratching or biting. Glue-only closure shortens operating time but may still result in wound dehiscence, re-anaesthesia and re-suturing during the critical implantation period.
Athina Papaemmanouil and colleagues refined the technique by replacing external sutures and multiple glue layers with a buried subcuticular suture, sealed with a fine layer of topical tissue adhesive. The adhesive apposes and protects the skin edges, while the absorbable suture provides deeper wound support and avoids the need for intervention during gestation.
This simple, cost-neutral method provides a practical 3Rs refinement by reducing skin irritation, self-trauma, secondary handling and loss of recipient animals, despite adding around four minutes to the procedure.