Objective: To evaluate the multitude of new synthetic absorbable sutures (both monofilament
and multifilament) in comparison with older materials with regard to capillarity and bacterial
transport.
Methods: Sutures of United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) 4-0 thickness were arranged in a
three-chamber system under sterile conditions. Either a colorant (liquid transport evaluation)
or bacteria (bacterial transport evaluation) were added to the contamination chamber, and
movement of colorant or bacteria was evaluated for as long as 30 days.
Results: None of the monofilament sutures transported colorant or bacteria. Colorant transport
was found on the pseudomonofilament and multifilament sutures between the first and
the fifth day. Escherichia coli were transported on the majority of the multifilament sutures,
although no transport was found on silk or polyester sutures. Bacterial transport was most
often evident in tests using the motile Proteus mirabilis.
Conclusions: All multifilament and pseudomonofilament suture designs allowed transport
of colorants and bacteria to some degree. The movement of fluids and bacteria did not depend
on the absorptive capacity of the sutures, coating, or the presence of an open suture end.
