THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF SUTURE MATERIAL AFFECTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF SEPTIC COMPLICATIONS

Abstract

Goal: to evaluate capillarity and wicking of traditional suture material and its analogues covered with bioinert poly-para-xylylene. Material and methods. A thread was fastened in a tripod; the free end of the thread was attached with a load. Then the load was dipped into a dye solution. An hour later the height of the liquid rise was measured from the surface of the solution along the thread. While studying the wick effect, some museum strains of microorganisms were used as an indicator culture. The dyed part of the thread was divided into segments, each of 2 cm. The segments were put onto elective medium and after 24 hours of incubation the number of new colonies was counted. Results. These results indicate high capillarity and wicking of threads made of traditional suture material. In all the cases a strong reverse relation was identified between the value of the capillarity and the PPX concentration, used for modification of traditional surgical threads. The PPX modification of traditional suture material makes it possible to reduce the wick effect. Conclusion. The modification of surgical threads by applying bioinert covering is an effective way to prevent purulent and septic complications in the early postoperative period.