The reaction of nerve tissue to various suture materials: a study in rabbits

Adult, male white New Zealand rabbits were used to compare two new synthetic suture materials, polyglycolic acid (Dexon) and polypropylene (Prolene), with wire, plain catgut, and silk. The purpose of the study was simply to determine the reaction of nerve tissue to each of the five different materials. No attempt was made to measure functional results. The nerves were examined grossly and microscopically in an effort to evaluate which suture incited the least host reaction. Although no difference was noted in the initial cellular response, Prolene was shown to incite the least fibrolastic response. Silk evoked the most marked fibroblastic response.