To evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of triclosan coated resorbable suture, chlorhexidine coated resorbable suture and non-coated resorbable sutures in alveoloplasty

Author(s): Shiv Pratap Singh, Ayushi Gour, Khushboo Chhabaria Peswani, Vineeth Vinayakumar

Background and objectives: Sutures at the surgical site can act as a reservoir for microbes, leading to surgical site infection. This mainly occurs in braided sutures due to wicking action. The study was designed to assess the antibacterial efficacy of resorbable triclosan-coated suture and chlorhexidine-coated suture along with its effect on healing after alveoloplasty procedure in comparison to non-coated sutures.

Patients and methods: 45 patients who went for alveoloplasty procedures have been selected by considering inclusion and exclusion criteria. 3 different wound closing suture material are used each in 15 of them and divided into 3 groups (triclosan coated suture, chlorhexidine coated suture, non-coated suture). Wound healing is evaluated by Early wound healing score index and post-operative pain by Mccaffery and Beebe et al scale at interval of 8th, 15th and 30th day post-operatively.

Result: There has been no statistical difference found in wound healing evaluation and post-operative pain assessment between all 3 groups at 8th, 15th and 30th day post- operative. Aerobic bacteria count at the end of 8th day post-operative was found greater in non-coated suture group then in Triclosan coated suture group and least in Chlorhexidine coated suture group with mean score of 731.60, 436.00 and 171.33 respectively and Anaerobic bacteria counts at the end of 8th day post-operative was also found greater in non-coated suture group then in Triclosan coated suture group and least in Chlorhexidine coated suture group with mean score of 563.53, 353.40 and 53.87 respectively.

Conclusion: Triclosan and chlorhexidine are known antibacterial agents. Local drug delivery in the form of coated sutures can be an effective method to inhibit biofilm formation and decrease the bacterial load at the surgical site as shown in our study, it can be concluded that chlorhexidine coated vicryl suture will be a greater choice of wound closing material.