6. Comparison of scars closed with synthetic absorbable
polydioxanone and nonabsorbable nylon sutures in opposite halves of the
same wound
Takaya Makiguchi, M.D., Kazunobu Hashikawa, M.D., Ph.D.,
Hiroto Terashi, M.D., Ph.D., Shinya Tahara, M.D., Ph.D.
Department of Plastic Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of
Medicine,7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017
Nylon suture has frequently been used from the viewpoint of scar
quality. Polydioxanone suture is capable of retaining tensile strength
longer than the previous absorbable suture that was developed. If the
absorbable and nonabsorbable sutures are equivalent with regard to scar
stretching, the absorbable suture may be more effective depending on the
purpose for which it is used.
The aim is to compare resultant scars and complications arising after
wound closure with polydioxanone or nylon.
Nylon and polydioxanone sutures were used for closure of dissected
transverse axial rectus abdominis muscle flaps on eight patients, and
the resultant scars on the opposite halves of the same wound were
compared. Specimens excised were histologically analyzed.
The nylon-sutured and the polydioxanone-sutured scars were similar after
surgery. In one patient, suture abscess developed on the nylon side.
For sutures at weight-bearing or thin-skin regions, the absorbable
suture for long-term courses may be more conducive to avoiding exposure
of the suture.
