Effect of surgical staples and stitches on the critical swimming speed of Sebastes schlegelii after implantation of ultrasonic pingers

Abstract

Implantation of ultrasonic pingers in fish is invasive in nature, as it bisects epidermis and skin tissues, with negative health impacts on the individual. Taking Korean rockfish Sebastes schlegelii as a model species, we compared the difference between using surgical sutures and disposable-staple sutures so as to minimize the impact caused by implantation. The results showed that (1) the critical swimming speed of S. schlegelii changed significantly 2 h after surgery but did not change significantly 1 d after the operation; (2) both suture methods can effectively close the wound; and (3) it takes less time to suture the wound with disposable skin staples than with a surgical needle. The abdominal incisions of the experimental fish were clean, the fish showed no inflammation or necrosis after suture by the 2 methods, and they remained healthy for 7 d after operation. We conclude that disposable skin staples are well suited for minimally invasive surgical suturing.