title: Antibacterial suture vs silk for the surgical removal of impacted lower third molars. A randomized clinical study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and microbiological impact of an antibacterial suture (Monocryl® Plus) in the surgical removal of I3M.
  
  
  METHODS
  A "split-mouth", prospective pilot clinical study was designed involving 20 patients programmed for the surgical removal of I3M. Each side was randomly sutured with Monocryl® Plus or silk suture and removed for microbiological study 72 hours and 7 days after surgery. Presence of SSI, wound bleeding and the degree of discomfort associated with each type of suture material (scored by means of a visual analog scale) were evaluated. The level of contamination of each material was observed under the scanning electron microscope.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Wound bleeding upon suture removing was slightly greater after 72 hours and 7 days with black silk suture, though the differences were not statistically significant (p=0.752 and p=0.113, respectively). Patient discomfort was very similar with both types of suture material (p=0.861). Only one case of SSI was recorded with black silk suture after 72 hours. Microbiologically, the antibacterial suture showed a lesser presence of microorganisms (p<0.001, at 72h and p=0.033 at 7th day, respectively). The most common bacterial species included grampositive cocci (Streptococcus viridans group, Neisseria spp., Coagulasenegative Staphylococcus and Peptostreptococcus), gramnegative cocci (Veillonella), grampositive Bacilli (Lactobacillus), and gramnegative Bacilli (Prevotella).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The greatest antibacterial effect of Monocryl Plus suture was observed after 72 hours. According to most authors, there is no doubt that this antibacterial suture can provide little safety in the control of SSI.
authors.affiliation: Centro Médico Teknon, Institut d'Investigació Biomédica de Bellvitge, IDIBELL, C/ VIlana 12, 08022 Barcelona, Spain, cgay@ub.edu.
authors.forename: Sergi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sala-Pérez
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: López-Ramírez
authors.forename: Milva
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quinteros-Borgarello
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Valmaseda-Castellón
authors.forename: Cosme
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gay-Escoda
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004146:Dioxanes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011091:Polyesters; D011446:Prospective Studies; D047011:Silk; D013537:Sutures; D014095:Tooth, Impacted; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004146:Dioxanes; D011091:Polyesters; D047011:Silk; C095495:glycolide E-caprolactone copolymer