Effect of suture materials on bacterial survival in infected wounds. An experimental study.

A non-capilllary and a capillary suture material were compared as regards the course of Staphylococcus areus infection at the site of implantation. The materials were implanted in the muscle of the rat, and bacterial counts were made at intervals over 41 days. The number of bacteria recovered at the implantation site during the test period decreased steadily and was significantly lower for the non-capillary than for the capillary materials. In the latter case the bacterial counts did not fall far below the initial value at inoculation. The number of bacteria isolated from the suture thread in relation to the total number from the thread and the surrounding muscle was significantly greater for the capillary material. The difference in the results for the two types of suture materials might be ascribed to differences in the extent to which the bacteria are exposed to the body's defence mechanism; in the case of the capillary suture material the bacteria would tend to be protected through their enclosure in the interstices of the material.