A new synthetic absorbable suture for ophthalmic surgery: laboratory and clinical evaluation.

A new synthetic absorbable suture for ophthalmic surgery--glycolactide--was proved superior to chromic collagen in rupture strength and more predictable absorption time in laboratory and clinical studies. The 8-0 glycolactide showed 30% greater initial strength than 8-0 chromic collagen. One week after implantation in rabbit corneas, the glycolactide retained over 90% of its initial rupture strength, while chromic collagen had lost nearly 50% of its strength. After ten days the strength of the glycolactide fell rapidly. By day 21 it began to be absorbed, completely disappearing by seven weeks. Chromic collagen tended to remain in situ longer, although possessing negligible rupture strength. The two materials were compared in suturing comeoscleral wounds of 45 consecutive patients undergoing routine cataract operation. The glycolactide began to disappear only after the fourth week, completely disappearing after nine weeks. Chromic collagen was more variable, some sutures disappearing as early as the third week, while others remained in place for over 20 weeks. Neither suture material excited reaction in the eyes, and the incidence of complications was low.