Comparison of polyglactic and polyglycolic acid sutures in reproductive tissue

Polyglactic acid and polyglycolic acid suture materials were compared in rat uterine and abdominal wall tissues for inflammatory response and tissue fibrosis. By 90 days after surgery, the tissue inflammatory reaction and fibrosis were significantly less in response to polyglactic acid suture (Vicryl) in both uterus and skin as compared with the response to polyglycolic acid (Dexon). In addition, the over-all tissue response in skin was significantly greater than that in uterus for both suture materials. The potential importance of tissue fibrosis--particularly in oviductal surgery, over and above the formation of adhesions between one organ and another--is emphasized. It is concluded that (1) the magnitude of tissue response to suture material varies for different tissues, (2) the degree of tissue wall fibrosis does not necessarily correspond to external tissue adhesions, (3) adhesions are maximal at the surgical knots regardless of the suture material used, and (4) polyglactic acid suture material may be preferable to polyglycolic acid suture material for infertility surgery, in which a minimum of tissue reaction is imperative.