Late Complications of 7–0 Polyglycolic (Dexon) Sutures in Cataract Surgery

Abstract

The late complications of corneo-scleral wound healing after the 15th postoperative day were recorded in 108 routine adult cataract operations using 7-0 polyglycolic acid (Dexon) sutures and compared with 80 routine adult cataract operations using 9-0 monofilament nylon (9-10 Ethilon Nylon) sutures. In 37 eyes of the 7-0 Dexon group filtrating blebs, gaping of the corneoscleral wound, anterior chamber collapse, or decrease in the intraocular pressure were observed compared with one filtrating bleb in the 9-0 nylon group. The majority of late complications occurred 22 to 42 days after surgery. Ten filtrating blebs remained after a 5 months' follow-up period. The most probable cause of the late complications in corneo-scleral wound healing was discussed.

Absorbable Sutures (Dexon and Vicryl) in the Corneolimbal Incision

“…However, Klemetti ( 1979) recently has reported frequent complications using Dexona 7-0 in corneoscleral incision of cataract operations.…”

Filtration Blebs in Corneoscleral Wounds Sutured With Dexon 7–0 and Dexon 8–0

“…In the present study frequency of filtration blebs is 39.3% for Dexon 8-0 and 21.3% for Dexon 7-0. It is reported (Sugar 1975;Klemetti 1979) that some filtration blebs disappear spontaneously. Therefore, it must be born in mind, that in the present study there is a difference between the Dexon 7-0 and the Dexon 8-0 material in the length of the period from cataract surgery to reexamination.…”

“…Sugar (1975) reports 11 filtration blebs in 156 cataract operations utilizing Dexon 6-0 sutures and 4 in 70 cases utilizing Dexon 7-0. Klemetti (1979) reports filtration blebs in 17 of 108 cataract operations with use of Dexon 7-0 sutures (15.7%). In the present study frequency of filtration blebs is 39.3% for Dexon 8-0 and 21.3% for Dexon 7-0.…”

“…Blades (1979) reports that Dexon 7-0 sutures disappeared after 43 days and Dexon 8-0 after 35 days. Klemetti (1979) concludes: 'Dexon 7-0 sutures cannot be recommended in cataract surgery in which the long term rentention of suture tensile strength is essential for wound healing'. This report shows an even more marked tendency for post-operative filtration blebs as those reported by Klemetti (1979).…”

“…Klemetti (1979) concludes: 'Dexon 7-0 sutures cannot be recommended in cataract surgery in which the long term rentention of suture tensile strength is essential for wound healing'. This report shows an even more marked tendency for post-operative filtration blebs as those reported by Klemetti (1979). But why this great discrepancy in the different reports about post-operative filtration blebs after Dexon sutures?…”