In situ development and application of natural coatings on non-absorbable sutures to reduce incision site infections.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was the development of a suture line that has antibacterial properties and reduces the chance of wound infection thus facilitating the healing process.

METHOD: Hydrolysed chitosan, turmeric powder and clove oil were used in different proportions to formulate antimicrobial coating for the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyamide (Nylon 6) threads. The threads were coated using a lab-scale yarn sizing machine. Tensile, and knot strength of the coated sutures were measured. As was the antimicrobial action of Staphylococcus aureus strain ATCC29213.

RESULTS: The results show that coatings have slightly improved the tensile and knot strength properties of these sutures. The coated sutures also have satisfactory microbial inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus.

CONCLUSION: The coating slightly improved the tensile strength of the sutures. However, the knot is the weakest part of the suture strand. All the formulations of the coating have shown satisfactory antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. We conclude that application of natural coatings on non-absorbable sutures can be useful to reduce the incisions and wound site infections.