Development in material engineering provide many kinds of
suture materials to medical fields. The choice of utilization depends on the surgeons decision, the durability, absorbtion times, tensile strength of the
suture, and operation site in means of organ and tissue. In this study we aimed to investigate 7 different
suture materials in vivo and in vitro conditions to evaluate the properties and durability. Basal tensile strength (TS) values of all
sutures were measured and 168 Wistar albino rats were utilised in vivo groups. The
sutures were placed in the bladder, stomach, intestine and bile duct (after
obstructive jaundice). Urine and bile of rat, pH 1 and pH 10 were used as in vitro conditions. Seven different
suture materials (
Maxon,
Vicryl, Plain
Catgut, Surgical
Silk,
Polypropylene,
Caprosyn and Biosyn) were investigated in 9 different in vitro and in vivo conditions. All
sutures were chosen to be in size 5/0. In the following 5th day the
sutures were tested related to durability and stability. Results were compared stastically using the Mann-Whitney U test and p < 0.05 was considered as stastically significant. Among all the
suture materials only
polypropylene proved to preserve its stability in vivo and in vitro surveys. Cat-gut and
caprosyn lost its TS in all medias.
Silk and biosyn lost its TS in all conditions except the stomach and intestines.
Maxon also lost its TS in all condition except urine. Utilisation of
caprosyn and biosyn in urinary procedures reduces stone formation and
infections. The
suture of choice in biliary tract should be
vicryl,
maxon or biosyn since
polypropylene preserves its stability that could result in stone formation. In intestinal operations
polypropylene,
vicryl, and
silk could be preferred.