Absorbable vs. non-absorbable suture: which one gives better results?

Abstract

There is no ideal suture material or ideal sewing technique. The type of suture material affects the quality of the scars. Patient and surgeon satisfaction with the quality and comfort of the scar is one of the main goals of modern surgery. This study aims to compare the quality of scars and patient satisfaction after using two different types of sutures. This research was conducted as a prospective study that included 64 patients whose surgical wounds were closed with intradermal suture using different suturing materials according to which the patients were divided into two groups: absorbable - Monocryle (32) and non-absorbable - DemeLENE suture (32). POSAS scale and an ultrasound machine were used to assess the scars. The doctor and the patient evaluated seven parameters on two occasions, after 2 and 6weeks after the surgery. The statistically significant advantage was found after 2weeks in scars sewn with non-resorptive suture in terms of elasticity, doctor's general impression, pain, itching, color, stiffness, thickness, irregularity, and patient's general impression. After 6weeks, statistically significantly better results were shown on scars sewn with non-resorptive thread for the parameters doctor's general impression, itching, irregularity, and patient's general impression. Non-resorptive sutures show statistically significantly better results, especially after 2weeks from the patient's point of view so we consider them more comfortable and convenient to use.