The effect of different suture removal time intervals on surgical wound healing.
BACKGROUND
This study was carried out to compare the effect of different suture removal time on surgical wound healing.


METHODS
Twenty-one male albino rabbits were used. Under general and local anesthesia a moucoperiosteal rectangular flap was raised in each animal and then repositioned and sutured. The animals were randomly divided into three experimental groups of seven animals each. In group I and II the sutures were removed after 3 and 5 days respectively and were followed up for 7 and 14 days after surgery. In group III the sutures were removed after 7 days and were followed up for 14 days after surgery. Tissue reactions were observed and recorded using inflammation and gingival indexes at 7 and 14 days after surgery in all three groups. Inflammation and gingival indexes were analyzed by Kurskal Wallis, Firedman and Wilcoxone tests.


RESULTS
Results showed that inflammation index was significantly different with two other groups at the day 7 after surgery (P<0.008). Gingival index in group II was significantly different from two other groups at the day 14 (P<0.028); however, there was no significant difference between group II and III at the same interval.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on result of this study, 5 days was recognized to the best time interval for suture removal in comparison with two other time intervals.
Department of Endodontics, Dental School, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Masoud
M
Parirokh
Department of Endodontics, Iranian Center for Endodontic Research, Dental School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Saeed
S
Asgary
Department of Endodontics, Iran Center for Dental Research, Dental School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mohammad Jafar
MJ
Eghbal
Periapical Surgery; Suture Removal; Wound Healing