The effect of suture characteristics on short-term morbidity after vaginal prolapse surgery

Previous studies suggest that larger sutures increase the risk of complications after prolapse surgery. This study aimed to assess whether multifilament sutures increased complications compared with monofilament sutures. A series of 100 women with 2/0 multifilament suture were matched by operation to a previous cohort when a size 2/0 monofilament suture was used. Offensive vaginal discharge was more common in the multifilament than in the monofilament group (24% vs. 12%; p = 0.04). However, there was no increased requirement to seek advice from a health professional (33% vs. 25%; p = 0.27) or to require antibiotics. Vaginal bleeding (10% vs. 5%; p = 0.28) and urinary infection (2% vs. 5%; p = 0.44) were statistically no more common in the multifilament 2/0 compared with the monofilament 2/0 group. Multifilament sutures used for closure of the vaginal skin are associated with a clinically non-significant higher incidence of vaginal discharge in the early post-operative period.