Slowly and rapidly absorbable sutures and their influence on scar width

Abstract 

In order to compare the possible influence of two absorbable suture materials on the formation of scar tissue, 26 women who had undergone reduction mammaplasty were the subjects of a randomized double blind clinical trial. In 26 women, who underwent a reduction mammaplasty, a prospective randomized double blind clinical trial was undertaken to compare the possible influence of two absorbable suture materials on the formation of scar tissue. The sutures under examination were Polyglecaprone 25 (Monocryl, Ethicon; Johnson & Johnson, Amersfoort, The Netherlands) and Polyglactine 910 (Vicryl Rapide, Ethicon; Johnson & Johnson, Amers-foort, The Netherlands). All scars were examined by one investigator after periods of 2 weeks, 3 months, and 1 year, to judge tissue reaction, redness and scar width. The monofilament Monocryl, which is absorbed more slowly and keeps its tensile strength longer than Vicryl Rapide, gave less tissue reaction initially and after periods of 3 months and 1 year produced significantly narrower scars than Vicryl Rapide.