Microbiological Evaluation of Four Different Suture Materials Used for the Surgical Removal of Impacted Lower Third Molars: A Single-Center Prospective Comparative Study

Abstract

Introduction Sutures play a crucial role in the postoperative healing process, as they help approximate wound edges, promote hemostasis, and support tissue healing. The oral cavity harbors a diverse microbial population, and oral surgical procedures can introduce potential pathogens into the surgical site. Understanding the impact of suture material on wound infection rates and the colonization of potentially harmful microorganisms is vital for improving patient outcomes. This study was aimed to evaluate and compare the microbiological properties of prolene, vicryl plus, monocryl, and silk sutures used after the surgical removal of impacted lower third molars. Materials and methods A total of 40 patients requiring surgical extraction of impacted lower third molars were assigned to four groups: prolene, vicryl plus, monocryl, and silk sutures. Surgical extraction of impacted tooth was done, and wound was sutured with the abovementioned four different materials in four groups, respectively. After seven days, the sutures were removed and sent to the microbiology lab for colony count assessment. Total microbial colony count, streptococcus count, and lactobacillus count were assessed. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 23.0 (Released 2015; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States) with p-values less than 0.05 considered as statistically significant. The one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc Tukey test were done to compare intergroup relations. Results The microbiological evaluation of the sutures revealed significant differences in bacterial colonization among the four groups. More bacterial quantities were found in the silk group followed by the monocryl, vicryl plus, and prolene groups in the descending order. Prolene demonstrated the lowest incidence of bacterial growth (p<0.001) compared to vicryl plus, monocryl, and silk sutures. Bacterial colony count was highest in the silk group. The predominant bacterial species found in all groups were Streptococcus viridans , Staphylococcus aureus , and Lactobacillus . Conclusion It was found that prolene and vicryl plus sutures exhibited superior microbiological properties compared to monocryl and silk sutures when used for the surgical removal of impacted lower third molars. The lower incidence and less quantity of bacterial colonization on prolene sutures suggest their potential for reducing the risk of postoperative infection; hence, these sutures can be preferred for oral surgical procedures.