US EPA

5327302 

Journal Article 

A comparison of sutures for adjustable strabismus surgery 

Neumann, D; Neumann, R; Isenberg, SJ 

1999 

Yes 

American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. Journal
ISSN: 1091-8531 

3 

2 

91-93 

English 

10221801 

BACKGROUND: The adjustable suture technique after strabismus surgery may be more easily performed if the sutures offered minimal resistance during the procedure as desired by the surgeon.

METHODS: In a rabbit model, 3 different types of 6-0 absorbable sutures-Biosorb-C (polyglycolic acid with polycaprolate coating, Alcon Surgical), coated Vicryl (polyglactin 910 coated with polyglactin 370 and calcium stearate, Ethicon), and Dexon-"S" (polyglycolic acid, Davis and Geck)-were advanced through scleral tunnels when attached and not attached to extraocular muscles. Resistance was measured with a precise strain gauge accurate to 0.1 g with an intrinsic microprocessor.

RESULTS: For unattached advancements, Biosorb-C offered significantly less resistance than Vicryl at 6 and 24 hours after operation (P < .02), whereas Dexon-"S" offered less resistance than Vicryl only at 24 hours (P = .001). At 6 hours, Biosorb-C sutures were marginally more slipperythan Dexon-"S" (P= .07). For sutures attached to extraocular muscles at 6 hours after surgery, the 3 sutures offered similar resistance. By 24 hours after the initial procedure, Vicryl presented significantly more resistance than either Biosorb-C or Dexon-"S" (P< .01 for both). For all comparisons of 6 versus 24 hours after surgery, the only significant increase in resistance were Vicryl sutures attached to muscles (P= .02).

CONCLUSIONS: These data support the use of Biosorb-C and Dexon-"S" for the adjustable suture technique whether adjusted at 6 or 24 hours after the initial procedure, although Biosorb-C may be slightly easier to adjust at 6 hours. If Vicryl is used, it would be easier to adjust the muscle 6 hours after surgery rather than after 24 hours.