WOUND HEALING .2. AN EVALUATION OF SURGICAL SUTURE MATERIAL

Abstract

Plain and chromic catgut, silk, cotton, wire, nylon, ramie, nymo, dacron, and teflon were studied in animals from the standpoint of tensile strength of the sutured rectus wound, histology of this wound, tensile strength of the implanted suture loop, and grade of tissue reaction to the suture. The catgut sutures were similar to the nonabsorbable sutures until absorption began. At this time, the tissue reaction increased and the tensile strength of the suture fell rapidly. The synthetic sutures, and particularly teflon, caused little tissue reaction and maintained tensile strength well. The tendency for the knot to slip and untie was a disadvantage but the other favorable characteristics were so decisive that alterations should be sought to produce a dependable knot.