In Vitro Antibacterial Efficacy of Vicryl and PDS Plus Antibacterial Suture

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Surgical site infection (SSI) is the most common nosocomial infection in surgical patients, and this accounts for approximately 17% of all hospital-acquired infections. Suture materials are possibly significant sources of SSI. This study aims to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial efficacy of Vicryl and PDS plus antibacterial suture coating with triclosan against bacteria. METHODS: Vicryl and PDS plus antibacterial suture coating with and without triclosan were tested for in vitro efficacy against methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli by a zone of inhibition assay and test of bacterial adhesion and viability. RESULTS: Vicryl and PDS plus antibacterial suture coating with triclosan demonstrated activity against all tested bacteria in vitro. Evaluations by a zone of inhibition assay and test of bacterial adhesion and viability show the antibacterial activity compared with untreated sutures. Pretreatment of surgical sutures with fetal bovine serum did not diminish antibacterial activity of the triclosan-coated sutures compared with non-coated sutures (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Vicryl and PDS plus antibacterial suture reduced in vitro colonization of several strains of bacteria compared with untreated control sutures.