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An In Vitro Model of a Parallel-Plate Perfusion System to Study Bacterial Adherence to Graft Tissues
Published on: January 7, 2019
Bacterial Adherence Around Sutures of Different Material at Grafted Site: A Microbiological Analysis
Lanka Mahesh1, Varun Raj Kumar1, Anshi Jain2
1Private Practice, New Delhi 110001, India.
Abstract:
Closure of the surgical incision has been the primary function of sutures since their introduction. However, whatever the type, they are known to carry bacteria, which can be a source of infection. Five types of surgical sutures, Gut, Silk, Vicryl, PTFE, and Polyamide, were selected and tested on their ability to carry aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and were rated on the basis of forming colony-forming units (CFUs). Aerobic bacteria grown around gut sutures showed minimum CFUs (≈30 × 104/suture). Though very less anaerobic bacteria growth was seen among all tested suture materials, it was maximum around Vicryl and polyamide sutures. Every suture material is capable, albeit not equally, of holding bacterial biofilm formation, which can be a source of surgical site infection.
Insights
Surgical sutures can harbor bacteria, potentially causing infections. Gut sutures showed the lowest aerobic bacterial growth, while Vicryl and polyamide sutures had the most anaerobic bacterial growth, indicating all suture types can form biofilms.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Surgical Materials Science
- Infectious Disease Research
Background:
- Sutures are essential for surgical incision closure.
- Suture materials can act as vectors for bacteria, leading to surgical site infections (SSIs).
- Understanding bacterial adherence to different suture types is crucial for infection prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the bacterial carrying capacity of five common surgical suture materials.
- To compare the formation of bacterial biofilms on Gut, Silk, Vicryl, PTFE, and Polyamide sutures.
- To assess the potential of these sutures as a source of surgical site infections.
Main Methods:
- Five suture types (Gut, Silk, Vicryl, PTFE, Polyamide) were tested.
- Ability to carry aerobic and anaerobic bacteria was assessed.
- Bacterial load was quantified using colony-forming units (CFUs).
Main Results:
- Gut sutures exhibited the lowest aerobic bacterial CFUs (approximately 30 × 10^4/suture).
- Anaerobic bacterial growth was minimal across all tested materials.
- Vicryl and polyamide sutures showed the highest levels of anaerobic bacterial growth.
Conclusions:
- All tested suture materials possess the capability to support bacterial biofilm formation.
- The capacity for biofilm formation varies among different suture types.
- Bacterial adherence to sutures represents a significant risk factor for surgical site infections.
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