An In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of Tensile Strength and Durability of Seven Suture Materials in Various pH and Different Conditions: An Experimental Study in Rats.

Development in material engineering provide many kinds of suture materials to medical fields. The choice of utilization depends on the surgeons decision, the durability, absorbtion times, tensile strength of the suture, and operation site in means of organ and tissue. In this study we aimed to investigate 7 different suture materials in vivo and in vitro conditions to evaluate the properties and durability. Basal tensile strength (TS) values of all sutures were measured and 168 Wistar albino rats were utilised in vivo groups. The sutures were placed in the bladder, stomach, intestine and bile duct (after obstructive jaundice). Urine and bile of rat, pH 1 and pH 10 were used as in vitro conditions. Seven different suture materials (Maxon, Vicryl, Plain Catgut, Surgical Silk, Polypropylene, Caprosyn and Biosyn) were investigated in 9 different in vitro and in vivo conditions. All sutures were chosen to be in size 5/0. In the following 5th day the sutures were tested related to durability and stability. Results were compared stastically using the Mann-Whitney U test and p < 0.05 was considered as stastically significant. Among all the suture materials only polypropylene proved to preserve its stability in vivo and in vitro surveys. Cat-gut and caprosyn lost its TS in all medias. Silk and biosyn lost its TS in all conditions except the stomach and intestines. Maxon also lost its TS in all condition except urine. Utilisation of caprosyn and biosyn in urinary procedures reduces stone formation and infections. The suture of choice in biliary tract should be vicryl, maxon or biosyn since polypropylene preserves its stability that could result in stone formation. In intestinal operations polypropylene, vicryl, and silk could be preferred.