A comparative microbiological study of polyglycolic acid and silk sutures in oral surgical procedures.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial adherence to silk and polyglycolic acid suture is similar. Literature has shown bacterial adhesion is lower degree in polyglycolic acid suture compared to silk, but tissue reaction was more in the polyglycolic acid suture. The aim of the study was to compare the bacteria adhered on the silk and polyglycolic acid sutures. METHODS: Sixty-two patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in the study and were divided equally into group A and group B. After intraoral surgical procedures the operated site was sutured either with 3-0 black silk or 3-0 polyglycolic acid sutures in group A and B respectively. On seventh day after irrigation with normal saline sutures were removed and one suture strand was transported to the Department of Microbiology to inoculate and identify the bacteria. RESULTS: 3-0 black silk exhibited a high degree of aerobic bacteria. The bacteria identified on the suture were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus viridians, Enterobacter, Escherichia coli, Citrobacter and Klebsiella. In 3-0 polyglycolic acid suture Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. coli, Streptococcus viridians bacteria were identified. CONCLUSIONS: PGA showed fewer bacterial adherences compared to black silk. Fewer bacterial adherence and resorbable PGA makes a better choice for intra oral surgical procedures.