Microbial adherence affinity and clinical characteristics of polypropylene versus silk sutures in oral surgery

Abstract

Introduction/Objective The purpose of this study was to compare polypropylene and silk suture materials in terms of bacterial adherence and clinical features including the impact on soft tissue healing.

Methods Ten healthy patients were included in this study. Unilateral upper and lower wisdom teeth were extracted at the same time and wounds were sutured with different threads (one monofilament – polypropylene – and one multifilament – silk suture). Stitches were removed seven days postoperatively. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze bacterial adherence. Intraoperative handling and ease of removal were assessed with the help of Visual Analogue Scale. Landry healing index was used for evaluation of soft tissue healing.

Results Significantly more pronounced bacterial adherence was found on silk compared to polypropylene sutures (p = 0.005). Superior intraoperative handling properties were registered suturing with polypropylene compared to silk (p = 0.005). Soft tissue healing was significantly better around polypropylene sutures, both on the third and the seventh postoperative day (p = 0.016). Patient discomfort was slightly higher for polypropylene sutures, but without statistical significance.

Conclusion Polypropylene suture material showed significantly lower bacterial adherence and superior clinical features compared to silk, including better soft tissue healing.

Keywords: bacterial adherence; oral soft tissue healing; non-absorbable suture materials; oral surgery; real time-PCR