May antibacterial suture material be efficient in preventing surgical site infections? An overview of literature

Abstract

Surgical site infection (SSI) is an important and serious problem of surgery considering increase in rates of mortality and morbidity, hospitalization period and healthcare costs. The suture materials, which are among the surgical risk factors providing a basis for development of these infections is an issue, which inevitably requires consideration. Suture materials are used for restoring tissue integrity, which is adversely influenced from the surgical procedure, and for controlling bleeding that occurs during surgery and they are among the most commonly used materials by the surgical team. This issue has been discussed in studies published since '50s that these materials lead to infections. Due to the advances in the technology, suture materials coated with triclosan, an antibacterial agent, for preventing SSIs are introduced. Whether antibacterial suture materials minimize the occurrence of infection by preventing growth of MRSA and Staphylococcus epidermidis or do they have any contribution to prevention of infections is discussed in various clinical and in vitro studies conducted on these materials, but the number of such studies is limited. Although it is difficult to determine the risk factors of a multi-variable environment related with the patient and the surgical process, removal of the risk of infection originating from these materials during the surgical interventions and use of best suitable materials in the patient are among the most significant duties of the surgical team. The effects of antibacterial suture materials on prevention of SSI are discussed in this study, with regard to the recent literature.