[Studies on perfecting Polish-made linen threads for surgical use]

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Surgical Technology
• Textile Engineering

Background:

• Linen surgical threads are in demand due to resistance and suitability, but natural polymer properties cause increased tissue reactivity.
• Current linen thread preparations (wax, paraffin) have limitations.
• Synthetic polymers offer potential for improving linen thread performance and biocompatibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To refine linen surgical threads by modifying raw material parameters and surface preparations.
• To evaluate the impact of synthetic polymer coatings on linen thread properties and biological response.
• To compare refined linen threads with commercially available options.

Main Methods:

• Investigated 12 varieties of linen threads (raw, cleaned, mercerized, polymer-coated).
• Assessed physical-mechanical properties (tensile strength, friction, wettability) and surface morphology (SEM).
• Conducted in vitro biological studies (hemolytic, toxic action) and in vivo studies (muscle implantation in rats, tissue reaction assessment).

Main Results:

• Thread cleaning and mercerization showed minimal property improvement.
• Optimal twist for surgical flax threads (size "0") was determined to be 480 twists/m.
• Silicon polymer and polyurethane preparations significantly enhanced surgical suitability and biological properties of linen threads.

Conclusions:

• Synthetic polymer coatings are effective in refining linen surgical threads.
• Refined linen threads demonstrate improved surgical suitability and reduced adverse biological reactions.
• This study provides a basis for developing superior linen surgical thread materials.