Effect of electrosurgical energy on suture material. An experimental study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The instructions for use of the suture material or coagulation tool do not describe the changes that may occur when they interact. A review of the literature found a small number of publications on changes in the physical properties of the suture material when exposed to chemical and mechanical factors. However, this is not enough to predict the effects of energy on the suture material and, as a result, on wound healing or the quality of the postoperative scar.
 AIM: To determine and measure the effect of the energy used for coagulation on the strength of the suture material.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the experimental research, data on changes in the strength of 20 different filaments after exposure to the energy used for coagulation were analyzed in comparison with control samples.
 RESULTS: Research resulted in obtaining both expected or predicted indicators of changes in the strength of threads, and vice versa, absolutely unexpected results, which only confirms the significance of the research. Most of the filaments have lost their original strength after exposure to energy. However, some threads have become, on the contrary, stronger, despite the apparent destructive effect.
 CONCLUSIONS: The coagulation energy used in the ligature field changes the physical properties of the filaments. Therefore, in some cases it is worth abandoning the use of a certain type of energy and using another well-known method of hemostasis.