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Updated: Jun 1, 2026
13:28
Introducing Shear Stress in the Study of Bacterial Adhesion
Published on: September 2, 2011
Bacterial adherence to high--tensile strength sutures
Brendan D Masini1, Daniel J Stinner, Scott M Waterman
1Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA. Brendan.Masini@amedd.army.mil
Summary
Orthocord sutures show significantly less bacterial adherence than MaxBraid and FiberWire. This finding is crucial for selecting surgical implants in patients at risk of infection.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials science
- Infectious disease research
- Surgical innovation
Background:
- Bacterial adherence to surgical implants is a significant concern, potentially leading to infections.
- Understanding the physical properties of suture materials is vital for optimal patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and compare bacterial adherence to various high-tensile strength suture materials.
- To utilize a bioluminescent in vitro model for quantifying bacterial adhesion.
Main Methods:
- Five types of No. 2 sutures (MaxBraid, FiberWire, Ethibond, Orthocord, silk) were incubated with bioluminescent Staphylococcus aureus.
- Suture strands were irrigated, and residual bacterial counts were measured using photon emission.
- A photon-capturing camera system provided quantitative data on bacterial adherence.
Main Results:
- Orthocord demonstrated significantly less bacterial adherence compared to MaxBraid and FiberWire.
- Silk sutures exhibited the lowest bacterial adherence among all tested materials.
- Quantitative analysis revealed significant differences in bacterial adhesion across the high-tensile strength sutures.
Conclusions:
- Orthocord presents a favorable option regarding bacterial adherence among high-tensile strength sutures.
- Suture material properties, specifically bacterial adherence, should be considered in patient populations prone to infection.
- This research informs surgical implant selection, particularly in contaminated areas or for immunocompromised patients.
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