Comparing the Clinical and Microbiological Effects of Antibacterial-Coated Vicryl Suture and Non-Coated Vicryl Suture after Minor Oral Surgical Procedures

Surgical site infections are among the most common nosocomial infections, potentially leading to serious complications after surgical interventions. In intraoral surgical procedures, sutures are exposed to various bacterial species, raising the question of whether antibacterial-coated suture material is beneficial in reducing SSIs. This study aimed to compare the antibacterial effect of Vicryl Plus suture (polyglactin 910 coated with triclosan) and non-coated Vicryl suture by analysing clinical and microbiological differences and assessing the isolates through antibiotic sensitivity testing.

Triclosan-coated and uncoated suture materials were applied in 27 patients undergoing minor oral surgical procedures. Postoperatively, on the 7th day, the degree of discomfort was noted based on the VAS score, and suture sites were clinically assessed for bleeding and inflammation. The retrieved suture samples underwent microbiological analysis, where bacteria were isolated, colony-forming units were counted, species were identified, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted.

Patients reported a higher incidence of discomfort with Vicryl Plus sutures. Bleeding and inflammation were more prominent in Vicryl sutures. Oral bacteria were more prevalent in Vicryl sutures (72.5%) compared to 24.5% for triclosan-coated Vicryl Plus. The number of bacterial strains identified was higher for Vicryl than for Vicryl Plus, but the number of pathogens was higher on Vicryl Plus than on Vicryl. Bacteria such as Acetobacter sp., Coagulase-negative staphylococci, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and MRSA were mostly isolated from Vicryl Plus sutures.

Clinically, higher incidents of discomfort, pain, and swelling were noted with Vicryl Plus sutures compared to Vicryl sutures. It was also observed that there was an increased number of pathogenic bacteria adhered to Vicryl Plus sutures compared to Vicryl sutures. Hence, it is concluded in our study that Vicryl Plus sutures have no added advantage compared to Vicryl sutures in minor oral surgical procedures.