Bacterial Adherence Around Sutures of Different Material at Grafted Site: A Microbiological Analysis

Abstract

Closure of the surgical incision has been the primary function of sutures since their introduction. However, whatever the type, they are known to carry bacteria, which can be a source of infection. Five types of surgical sutures, Gut, Silk, Vicryl, PTFE, and Polyamide, were selected and tested on their ability to carry aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and were rated on the basis of forming colony-forming units (CFUs). Aerobic bacteria grown around gut sutures showed minimum CFUs (≈30 × 104/suture). Though very less anaerobic bacteria growth was seen among all tested suture materials, it was maximum around Vicryl and polyamide sutures. Every suture material is capable, albeit not equally, of holding bacterial biofilm formation, which can be a source of surgical site infection.

Keywords

• dental sutures
• gut
• silk
• Vicryl
• PTFE
• polyamide