The Effect of Absorbable and Non-absorbable Scleral Suture on Strabismus Surgery in the Rabbits

Purpose: To evaluate and compare the histopathological changes in a rabbit model, following strabismus surgery using either absorbable or non-absorbable suture materials. Methods: Superior rectus muscle recession was performed in rabbits using either an absorbable (Vicryl®) or non-absorbable (Prolene®) suture material. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed and histologic changes in the sclera were evaluated at the first, second, fourth, and eighth weeks, postoperatively. Moreover, the postoperative scleral thickness was measured and the postoperative pattern of arrangement of scleral fibers was analyzed. Results: Suture material-induced limited inflammatory reaction and formation of new vessels were observed in the study subjects, in the early postoperative phase, in both the Vicryl® and Prolene® groups. In the Vicryl® group, multinucleated giant cells were dominant during the inflammatory phase, and replacement by fibrotic scar tissues was observed. In the Prolene® group, the suture material was observed to be intact, and the inflammatory reactions around the sutures were observed to be less severe compared to the Vicryl® group. Meanwhile, neither group exhibited reduction in scleral thickness or irregular rearrangement of scleral fibers. Conclusions: The current histological study demonstrated that there was no significant postoperative scleral tissue changes after a strabismus surgery. Furthermore, the absorbable suture material was observed to induce inflammatory reactions of greater severity, compared to the non-absorbable suture material, in scleral tissues.