Short-term complications after vaginal prolapse surgery: do suture characteristics influence morbidity?

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery can be associated with early postoperative morbidity resulting in significant service utilisation. This study aimed to investigate whether different suture materials cause different rates of early postoperative morbidity by comparing two cohorts using case-control methodology. A total of 100 women undergoing POP surgery with vaginal closure with 1 Vicryl (polyglycolic acid) multifilament sutures were matched by operation with a cohort in which 2/0 Monocryl (poliglecaprone 25) monofilament sutures were used. The multifilament suture group had significantly higher rates of offensive discharge (p<0.001), vaginal bleeding (p<0.001) and vaginal pain (p=0.004). They were more likely to receive medical advice (0.007). Patients in the multifilament group were no more likely to suffer from a UTI (p=1.000) or to be readmitted postoperatively (p=1.000). Size 1 multifilament sutures result in higher levels of postoperative morbidity when compared with 2/0 monofilament sutures.