Influence of different types of surgical suture materials on mehanical damage of oral mucosa

Throughout history many kinds of different suture materials have been used for closing and suturing surgical wounds. Medical literature describes four basic characteristics of suture material: knot safety, tensile strength, tissue reaction and wound safety. The tissue reaction is reflected in an inflammatory response, which, though minimal, occurs during first two to seven days after implanting suture into the tissue. The aim of this research was to investigate whether different suture materials affect the development of decubital damage of oral mucosa, which to a great extent can compromise the process of wound healing. MATERIAL AND METHODS The investigation was designed as a prospective clinical study including 150 patients of both genders, aged between 25 and 60. The patients were distributed into three groups of 50 persons. The suture Black Silk was used in the first group, designated as a control group. Nylon and Vicril were used in the second and third group, i.e. experimental groups, respectively. Decubital damage of the surrounding soft tissues was the main parameter for monitoring the effects of selected suture materials on the oral mucosa.