Comparative influence of suture materials and related risk factors on the induction of surgical site infections in selected gynecological procedures

Objective: to find out the comparative influence of various suture materials and related risk factors in the development of post-operative surgical site infection. methodology: an observational analytical study was conducted retrospectively in gynae & obstetric units of lady reading hospital,hayatabad medical complex & khyber teaching hospital over a period of 4 months (1st february 2013 to 31st may 2013). overall 45 patients with selected procedures,i.e. total abdominal hysterectomy,lower segment caesarean section (lscs),laparoscopy,burch colposuspension & fothergill repair using only specific suture materials i.e. black silk,polypropylene,polyglactin 910 & chromic catgut,were included in the study. the data was analysed using graphpad prism (graphpad software inc. san diego ca,usa). results: out of the total 45 cases,the procedure that resulted in most surgical site infections was emergency lower segment caesarean section (lscs) followed by total abdominal hysterectomy. the suturing materials resulted in the development of surgical site infection in an order of black silk ≥ polypropylene ≥ polyglactin 910. among the identified pathogens,staphylococcus ranked higher than others. resuturing of the wounds with similar material as initial resulted in more pervasiveness of reinfection. conclusion: black silk resulted in most pathogenic surgical site infections,followed by polypropylene and polyglactin 910. © 2017,postgraduate medical institute. all rights reserved.