Coated sutures for use in oral surgery: a comprehensive review

Clinicians have access to a variety of suture materials for effective wound repair. Recent studies have suggested utilizing coatings on sutures to enhance their properties. Literature indicates that such coatings may improve the tensile strength of sutures and augment their antimicrobial capabilities. Various materials, including zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles, and antimicrobial agents, have been investigated. This study aims to elucidate the materials utilized for coating sutures, identify the types of sutures employed, and detail the properties imparted by each coating.

A systematic search was conducted in the Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed databases using the keywords "coat*," "sutures," and "oral surgery."

20 articles met the inclusion criteria and were incorporated into this review. The literature is sparse regarding comparative studies on sutures with specific coatings. Triclosan-coated sutures have not shown a significant reduction in microbial load in oral surgery. However, silver nanoparticle coatings have been effective in reducing wound contamination. Antiseptic-coated silk sutures demonstrated significantly lower microbial colonization compared to controls. Notably, sutures with lycopene coatings did not exhibit superior antimicrobial or mechanical properties to uncoated sutures. ZnO nanoparticle-coated silk fibers displayed higher tensile strength than their uncoated counterparts. Other coatings, such as silicone or wax, have been developed to reduce suture friction.

In oral surgery, the effectiveness of coatings remains limited, potentially due to the high microbial load present in the anatomical region. Many coated materials are available for use in oral surgical sutures, but further research is necessary. Timely removal of sutures is recommended to minimize the risk of surgical wound infections, along with maintaining good oral hygiene.