Antimicrobial sutures can prevent surgical site infections and save money

In one analysis that included 21 randomized clinical trials, investigators found a risk of 138 surgical site infections per 1000 procedures, and the use of sutures coated with the antimicrobial triclosan reduced this by 39. Investigators noted that sufficient evidence exists for a 15 percent relative risk reduction in SSIs when triclosan-coated sutures are used.

In an economic analysis of results from 34 studies, triclosan sutures were linked with an average cost savings per surgical procedure of £91.25 across all wound classes when compared with non-antimicrobial-coated sutures. "Antimicrobial sutures ought to be included into SSI care bundles and provide a further significant saving to National Health Service (England) surgical practice," said Prof. David Leaper, lead author of the economic analysis.

The papers are part of a British Journal of Surgery special issue on surgical infection.

You can read the full Article by clicking on the link :

D. J. Leaper, C. E. Edmiston Jr, C. E. Holy. Meta-analysis of the potential economic impact following introduction of absorbable antimicrobial sutures. British Journal of Surgery, 2017; DOI: 10.1002/bjs.10443