Published in:
01-08-2011 | Original Article
Triclosan-coated sutures reduce wound infections after hepatobiliary surgery—a prospective non-randomized clinical pathway driven study
Published in: Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery | Issue 6/2011
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Objectives
Wound infections after abdominal surgery are still frequent types of nosocomial infections. Suture materials might serve as a vehicle for mechanical transport of bacteria into the surgical wound. To reduce bacterial adherence to surgical sutures, triclosan-coated polyglactin 910 suture materials with antiseptic activity (Vicryl plus®) were developed. The aim of this prospective non-randomized clinical pathway driven study was to ascertain if the use of Vicryl plus® reduced the number of wound infections after transverse laparotomy.
Patients and methods
Between October 2003 and October 2007, 839 operations were performed using a transverse abdominal incision. In the first time period, a PDSII® loop suture was used for abdominal wall closure. In the second time period, we used Vicryl plus®. Risk factors were collected prospectively to compare the two groups.
Results
Using a PDSII® loop suture for abdominal wall closure in the first time period, 9.2% of the patients developed wound infections. In the second time period, using Vicryl plus®, the number of wound infections decreased to 4.3% (p < 0,005). Both groups were comparable regarding risk factors despite no other changes in protocols of patient care.
Conclusion
Antiseptic-coated loop Vicryl suture for abdominal wall closure can be superior to PDSII sutures in respect to the development of wound infections after a two-layered closure of transverse laparotomy.