Comparison of Dexon and Mersilene sutures in the closure of primary laparotomy incisions

The study is a comparison of Dexon (polyglycolic acid) and Mersilene (polyester) sutures when employed for the primary closure of the peritoneum and aponeurotic layer in primary laparotomy incisions. The material comprises 308 closures of abdominal wounds with interrupted 2-0 sutures (United States Pharmacopeia) in the aponeurosis and continuous 2-0 suture of the peritoneum. One half of the wound was closed with Dexon and the other half with Mersilene, so that the patient acted as his own control. No significant difference was found between the two materials as evaluated from the occurrence of wound rupture within 10 days and incisional hernia within 90 days of the operation. Suture granulomas occurred in 9% of the half wounds sutured with Mersilene. The present clinical investigation demonstrates that Dexon sutures are as reliable as unabsorbable material. Dexon is superior to unabsorbable material as suture granulomas were not seen when Dexon was employed.