Debris on vicryl and silk sutures: a clinical study

Objectives: When sutures are used in mouth, they can allow debris on surgical wound, either on absorbable or non-absorbable plurifilament. We evaluated whether there is a difference in debris deposit on absorbable or silk sutures, using a new scale correlated to patient oral hygiene. Materials and methods: one-hundred-twenty patients who underwent tooth extraction for periodontitis, were divided into two groups (n=60): in G1 (age=42,1±14,30) Vicryl sutures were placed; in G2 (age=44,2±14,37) silk ones. Green's simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S) and Sillness & Löe's gingival index (GI) were measured for each patient before tooth-extraction and after one week. Single sutures only were made turning the wire clockwise twice, anticlockwise once and again clockwise once around the needle-holder. Suture debris has been evaluated seven days after their placement using the following scale: 0=no debris, 1=debris on the wound but not on suture, 2= debris on knot, 3=debris on the free portion of suture, 4=debris cover whole suture. Statistical analysis: Mann-Whitney U test for independent variables. Results: distribution of debris was statistically different between the two groups (p<0,05); group 1 presented the highest scores (3 and 4) of debris. There was no statistical difference in relation to OHI-S and GI values before and after treatment; surgical procedure did not affect oral hygiene habits in the two groups, whose hygienic level was similar. Conclusion: within the limits of this study Vicryl sutures seem associated with a greater degree of debris. Further investigations are needed to evaluate clinical implications.