Creation of sutures with antimicrobial properties

Abstract

It was found that Decamethoxin, as a broad-spectrum antiseptic with a pronounced antibacterial and fungicidal action, and BF-6 phenol-polyvinylacetal adhesive, which gives complex sutures the structure of a pseudomonofilament, are best as antimicrobial additives in a modifying composite for giving surgical sutures antimicrobial properties. A Decamethoxin content in the modifying composite of 10% of the weight of BF-6 (1.7–2.0% in the suture) is sufficient for manifestation of the antimicrobial effect with respect to Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, and yeast-like fungi. The antimicrobial activity of a suture with a 1.7–2.0 wt. % decamethoxin content in the period from 2 to 24 h increases by 4 times with respect to E. coli and by 8 times with respect to Staphylococcus aureus and yeast-like fungi. Application of a coating of BF-6 adhesive with Decamethoxin has almost no effect on the physicomechanical properties of the sutures, but the capillarity decreases significantly (by ∼86%), which also decreases the probability of wound infection. The kinetics of release of Decamethoxin does not change after radiation sterilization of the sutures, i.e., the composition and content of the antimicrobial additive in the modified sutures and its antimicrobial activity are preserved. The optimum medium for storage of sterile modified sutures is 1% Decamethoxin solution. After 12 days of storage, the sutures remain sterile and lose a maximum of 6% of the breaking strength.