Comparison of the reaction of the cornea to nylon and stainless steel sutures: an animal study.

In 11 rabbits a comparison was made between the reactions of the cornea to nylon and to stainless steel sutures, macroscopically and by means of scanning electron-microscopy (SEM). Macroscopically, the wounds sutured with steel thread showed much less reaction than the wounds sutured with nylon. Vascularization was never encountered in the wounds sutured with steel thread. SEM examination also showed clear differences, which became noticeable within a short time. Both on the suture and round the opening in the cornea extensive deposits of material are seen within a short time (1 week) in the case of nylon, in the case of stainless steel this reaction is much less marked. A few weeks later deposits also appear on the steel thread, but these have a different composition and contain no material suggestive of an inflammatory reaction.