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Updated: Mar 14, 2026
Surgical Correction for Pediatric Epiblepharon and Trichiasis
Published on: July 8, 2025
Triclosan-containing sutures versus ordinary sutures for reducing surgical site infections in children: a
Marjo Renko1, Niko Paalanne1, Terhi Tapiainen1
1PEDEGO Research Unit, Medical Research Centre, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland; Oulu University Hospital, Department of Children and Adolescents, Oulu, Finland.
Insights
Triclosan-coated sutures significantly reduced surgical site infections (SSIs) in children, offering a simple method to prevent these common complications. This finding supports the use of triclosan sutures for pediatric surgical care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Infectious Disease Prevention
- Surgical Innovation
Background:
- Surgical site infections (SSIs) pose a significant challenge in surgical practice.
- Limited evidence exists on the efficacy of triclosan-impregnated sutures for preventing SSIs, particularly in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of triclosan-containing sutures in reducing SSIs in children undergoing surgery.
- To provide robust evidence for the use of antimicrobial sutures in pediatric surgical care.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was conducted at Oulu University Hospital, Finland.
- 1633 children (<18 years) were randomized to receive either triclosan-containing or standard absorbing sutures.
- The primary outcome was the incidence of superficial or deep SSIs within 30 days, assessed by CDC criteria.
Main Results:
- SSIs occurred in 3% of patients receiving triclosan sutures versus 5% in the control group (Risk Ratio 0.48).
- Triclosan sutures demonstrated a significant reduction in SSIs, with one SSI prevented for every 36 children treated.
- No significant adverse events were reported in either group.
Conclusions:
- Triclosan-containing sutures are effective in reducing SSIs in children.
- This simple intervention aligns with findings in adult populations and offers a practical approach to pediatric SSI prevention.
Background:
Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a pervasive problem in surgery. Sutures coated or impregnated with triclosan might reduce the occurrence of SSIs, but evidence of their efficacy is limited, especially in children.
Methods:
We designed a randomised, double-blind, controlled trial in patients who underwent elective or daytime emergency surgery at Oulu University Hospital (Oulu, Finland). We included children younger than 18 years staying in the paediatric surgery and orthopaedics ward for any elective or emergency surgery during the daytime and with anticipated use of absorbing sutures. Children were randomly allocated (1:1) to receive either triclosan-containing sutures or ordinary absorbing sutures. The primary outcome was the occurrence of superficial or deep surgical site infections according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria within 30 days after surgery. The primary analysis was with modified intention to treat. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01220700.
Findings:
Between September, 2010, and December, 2014, 1633 children were recruited. In the modified intention-to-treat group, SSIs occurred in 20 (3%) of 778 patients allocated to receive triclosan-containing sutures and in 42 (5%) of 779 patients allocated to receive control sutures (risk ratio 0·48, 95% CI 0·28-0·80). To prevent one SSI, triclosan-containing sutures had to be used in 36 children (95% CI 21-111). One patient died from suspected mitochondrial disease; no other expected or unexpected adverse events were reported in either of the groups.
Interpretation:
Use of triclosan-containing sutures effectively reduced the occurrence of all SSIs compared with normal sutures. The results accord with the results of meta-analyses of previous studies in adults. Use of triclosan-containing sutures is a simple way to reduce SSIs in children.
Funding:
The Alma and K A Snellman Foundation.
