ABSTRACT

Aim:

Suture materials used today are highly developed. However, they may still lead to complications associated with the technique used and patient-related factors. Absorbable sutures used in surgical interventions have been shown to lead to fewer reactions than nonabsorbable sutures. This retrospective study evaluated 8 patients who developed reactions to polypropylene sutures used for subdermal tissue and skin closure.

Materials and Methods:

Eight patients (mean age: 60.7±22.4 years) with inappropriate wound healing and pain at the wound site were admitted to our hospital between March 2002 and February 2004. The patients had sought treatment at the outpatient clinic with the complaints of insuffici-ent wound healing and pain as early as the postoperative 30th day. The ini-tial examination revealed that wound healing in sternal incision areas was not complete, and redness, opening and serous leakage were observed. All the patients had received polypropylene sutures, which were visible in certain areas. Wound cultures were taken and polypropylene sutures were substituted with absorbable suture materials by surgical intervention.

Results:

All the cultures were negative, and absorbable suture materials conveyed non-reactional wound healing in a relatively shorter time.

Conclusion:

Polypropylene sutures lead to skin reactions during wound healing. Absorbable suture materials are appropriate alternatives for those who suffer skin reactions due to polypropylene suture material use.