Further studies with polyglycolic acid (Dexon) and other sutures in infected experimental wounds

Seven suture materials (braided polyglycolic acid [BPGA, Dexon], multifilament stainless steel, monofilament nylon, black braided silk, braided Dacron (BD, Mersilene], and plain and chromic catgut) were implanted in surgical wounds which were inoculated with 3 dilutions of Staphylococcus aureus. The degree of swelling was measured at 6, 10, 20, and 40 days. Monofilament nylon and multifilament steel produced the least amount of swelling; plain and chromic catgut produced the most. The BPGA, BD, and silk caused swellings that were intermediate in degree. In chronic implantations, inflammatory reactions to the various suture materials differed from those occurring soon after implantation. Response to steel and nylon remained minimal; that to silk was gradual, but overall became the most severe. There was slightly less response with BD. The catguts varied little from each other in their responses. Intense reaction was induced by BPGA in the early stages, but the response was mild in chronic implantations.