Experimental Efficacy Study of Coated VICRYL plus Antibacterial Suture in Guinea Pigs Challenged with Staphylococcus aureus

BACKGROUND

This study evaluated the ability of coated polyglactin 910 suture with triclosan (Coated VICRYL Plus Antibacterial) suture to inhibit the colonization of bacteria on the suture after direct in vivo inoculation challenge with Staphylococcus aureus utilizing a guinea pig model.

METHODS

One control suture (4-5 cm) and one test suture (4-5 cm) were implanted subcutaneously in the dorsal-lateral regions (control on the left side, test on the right side, approximately 5 cm apart) in 16 female Hartley guinea pigs (300-400 g) via a 20-gauge catheter. Each implantation site was challenged directly with 2.1 x 10(4) colony forming units (cfu) of Staphylococcus aureus through the indwelling catheter. The test material was coated polyglactin 910 suture with triclosan (2-0, dyed), and the control material was coated polyglactin 910 suture (2-0, undyed). At 48 h, suture articles were explanted and a bacterial enumeration assay was performed.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the number of bacteria recovered between the study groups at 48 h post-implantation. The mean recovery for test sutures was 559 cfu, and the mean recovery for control sutures was 16,831 cfu. Coated polyglactin 910 suture with triclosan provided a 30.5-fold (96.7%) reduction in the number of recovered bacteria compared to standard coated polyglactin 910 suture.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that coated polyglactin 910 suture with triclosan inhibits bacterial colonization of suture after direct in vivo challenge with S. aureus in a guinea pig model.

Physical and functional comparison of Coated VICRYL* Plus Antibacterial Suture (coated polyglactin 910 suture with triclosan) with Coated VICRYL* Suture (coated polyglactin 910 suture)

BACKGROUND

The goal of this study was to compare the physical and functional properties of coated polyglactin 910 suture with and without triclosan by human assessment and instrument-based measurements.

METHODS

Surgeons specializing in general, orthopedic, plastic, or gynecologic surgery evaluated the suture materials in an in vivo porcine model with regard to (1) ease of passage through tissue, (2) first-throw knot holding, (3) knot tie-down smoothness, (4) knot security, (5) surgical handling, and (6) overall evaluation. Breaking strength retention was determined at 14, 21, 28, and 35 days post-implantation in rats using a tensile strength measurement device. The absorption rate was determined in rats by histopathology at 7, 28, 56, 63, 70, and 77 days post-implantation. The tactile smoothness and tie-down behavior of both wet and dry sutures were evaluated by product characterization technicians.

RESULTS

The scores for surgeons' evaluation of suture material were favorable and similar for both sutures. Surgeons could not reliably make a distinction in handling between the two sutures. Breaking strength retention was the same for both sutures, ranging from 79% on day 14 to 5% on day 35. Both sutures were essentially absorbed at 70 days post-implantation. Product characterization assessment of the two sutures found them to be indistinguishable.

CONCLUSION

The addition of triclosan to coated polyglactin 910 sutures did not affect physical handling properties or performance characteristics based on the testing and evaluations performed.