title: Nonabsorbable suture material in cataract surgery: a comparison of Novafil and nylon.
abstract: We compared the performance of 10-0 Novafil (polybutester, Davis & Geck, American Cyanamid Company, New South Wales, Australia.) with that of 10-0 nylon (Alcon) in 60 patients undergoing extracapsular cataract extraction and implantation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens. A standard technique was used, and the incision was closed with interrupted sutures of either 10-0 Novafil or 10-0 nylon. Length of follow up ranged from 6 to 26 months (average, 15 months). We assessed the intraoperative handling qualities of the suture materials, as well as their effect on wound healing and inflammation. We also compared the surgically-induced astigmatism in the two suture groups over the first 3 postoperative months and then in long-term follow up (average, 15 months). Sutures removed at long-term follow up were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Both suture materials handled easily at operation and were well tolerated by all patients. There was no significantly different surgically-induced astigmatism in the two suture groups after 12 weeks (P = .962) or during longer follow up (P = .401). SEM confirmed more advanced biodegradation of nylon as compared with Novafil sutures after they had been in place an average of 18 months.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Seeto
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: McClellan
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Billson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000209:etiology; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000209:etiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D009757:Nylons; D011091:Polyesters; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013537:Sutures; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D009757:Nylons; D011091:Polyesters; C048850:polybutester