The relative importance of Vicryl and Prolene sutures to the strength of healing abdominal wounds.

Based on animal experiments the importance of the sutures for the strength of the healing transversal abdominal wall incision was analyzed. As experimental animals rabbits were used, as suture material Prolene and Vicryl, and the wounds were tested using an Alvetron materials testing machine 3, 6, 10, 15, 28, and 56 days postoperatively. The strength of the wounds with suture intact and suture cut was compared. By measurement of the energy absorption the suture in the transversal incisions have lost their importance between the 15th and the 28th day. The investigation further showed that if Vicryl suture was used instead of Prolene of the same USP size, the sutures did not contribute to the strength of the rectus wounds on the 15th day. The results from the present investigation together with the results from clinical investigations are discussed in relation to the incidence of wound rupture and incisional hernias after use of absorbably suture materials. It is concluded that Vicryl and Dexon sutures of suitable USP size can secure the wound until the time when the suture is superfluous. In the conditions with reduced rate of wound healing, however, it could be risky to apply suture materials which cannot secure the wound after the elapse of 3 weeks.