A randomized, prospective trial evaluating surgeon preference in selection of absorbable suture material

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Surgical Innovation
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• Absorbable sutures are crucial in dermatologic surgery.
• Limited comparative data exists for commonly used sutures like glyconate and poliglecaprone 25.
• Surgeon preference and specific product characteristics can influence surgical outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct the first double-blinded, randomized comparison of glyconate and poliglecaprone 25 sutures.
• To evaluate surgeon preference and specific product characteristics.
• To provide data for improved suture design and surgeon selection.

Main Methods:

• A double-blinded, randomized study involving four dermatologic surgeons.
• Comparison of glyconate and poliglecaprone 25 sutures in 53 surgical sites across 48 patients.
• Evaluation of product characteristics, including visibility, handling, and breakage, with blinded assessment.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant difference in overall surgeon preference between glyconate and poliglecaprone 25 (P=0.64).
• Preference for poliglecaprone 25 correlated with faster closure speed (P=0.06).
• Preference for glyconate correlated with significantly better visibility (P=0.03), reduced suture breakage (P=0.05), and improved handling (P=0.06).

Conclusions:

• While overall preference was similar, specific characteristics favor one suture over the other for certain applications.
• Glyconate sutures demonstrated advantages in visibility, handling, and reduced breakage during knot tying.
• Findings can guide the development of improved absorbable sutures and aid surgeons in selecting optimal materials for specific surgical needs.