Comparison Between Nylon and Polyglactin Sutures in Pediatric Cataract Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the performance of nylon sutures to that of polyglactin sutures in pediatric patients undergoing cataract surgery.Setting: University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, BrazilDesign: A prospective, randomized, partially masked, single-site clinical trial. (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03812640).Methods: A total of 80 eyes from 80 patients who underwent pediatric cataract surgery were randomized into two groups in block sizes of four. Group A consisted of 41 patients whose surgical incisions were sutured with polyglactin 10-0 material. Group B consisted of 39 patients whose surgical incisions were sutured with nylon 10-0 material. The primary outcome was frequency of suture-related complications in each group. Secondary outcomes were the frequency with which suture removal was necessary.Results: The incidence of suture-related complications within 6 months of follow up was 0 out of 41 eyes (0.00%) in the polyglactin group and 17 out of 39 eyes (43.59%) in the nylon control group (p < 0.001). In all of the eyes with suture-related complications, the sutures were promptly removed. The most frequent complications were vascularization near the suture (17.95%) and loose sutures (17.95%). No ocular or systemic study-related adverse events were observed.Conclusions: Polyglactin sutures were found to be safe and effective for pediatric patients undergoing cataract surgery. Their lower rate of complications and reduced likelihood of removal (and the subsequent need for general anesthesia) make their use preferrable to that of nylon sutures. This study represents the first controlled randomized clinical trial to compare nylon sutures to polyglactin sutures in pediatric patients undergoing cataract surgery.Clinical Trial Registration: URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/, Identifier: NCT03812640.

Absorbable suture for band tightening of scleral buckling in pseudophakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: a modified surgical technique and a 6-month follow-up

“…In our study, the significant increases in the mean AL, SER, and ACD in the first 2 weeks after surgery corresponded to the two-week period of maximum Vicryl tension [18]. Thereafter, decreasing AL, SER, and ACD and achievement of approximately their preoperative measurements at the 6-month postoperative examination are consistent with the lysis and absorption of the Vicryl suture [19]. The degree of myopia was higher 2 weeks after surgery, but it then began to decrease so that at 6 months the degree of myopia was mild with a mean (SD) SER of -1.8 (0.9) D, which was still more myopic than the baseline SER, although the difference was not statistically significant.…”

Pediatric cataract surgery: considerations and updates in diagnosis and management

“…Two recent studies have compared these sutures in children. One prospective study compared the complication rates of using 10-0 nylon to 10-0 polyglactin suture to close the wounds in children 14 years old and younger and found polyglactin to be superior with no suture related complications, whereas 56.4% of patients receiving nylon had minor suture related complications including vascularized sutures, loose sutures, mucus on sutures, and suture rupture which required suture removal [6 ▪▪ ]. There were no reports of wound leakage, iris prolapse, or infection in either group.…”