Use of 7/0 Vicryl (coated polyglactin 910) and 7/0 Vicryl-rapide (irradiated polyglactin 910) in skin closure in ophthalmic plastic surgery

AIMS: To assess the safety and efficacy of 7/0 Vicryl and 7/0 Vicryl rapide sutures for skin closure, and without suture removal, in ophthalmic plastic surgery. METHOD: A prospective, comparative study of 40 consecutive procedures in 32 patients. Tissue reactions to the sutures, completeness of wound healing, and number of sutures remaining were observed at first dressing, 2 weeks and 2 months. RESULTS: Wound healing was excellent at 2 weeks in all but one Vicryl rapide patient whose slight wound gape was not attributable to the suture material used. No inflammatory tissue reaction attributable to the suture was seen. No visible suture marks were observed at 2 months. Transient crusting was observed around the sutures in 9/20 (45%) and 10/20 (50%) patients with Vicryl and Vicryl rapide, respectively. Only one suture out of 144 was removed. CONCLUSION: 7-0 Vicryl and 7-0 Vicryl rapide are safe and effective sutures for skin closure in ophthalmic plastic surgery.