Absorbable vs non absorbable sutures for wound closure. Systematic review of systematic reviews

Publication date: Available online 24 September 2018

Source: Wound Medicine

Author(s): Sharaf Sheik-Ali, Wilfried Guets

Abstract

Objective

To provide an overview of evidence on Absorbable and non-absorbable sutures (AS & NAS) for the closure of surgical incisions

Methods

Medline, Embase and Cochrane library were searched for systematic reviews including randomised control trials (RCTs) on AS and NAS. Those that matched the inclusion criterion were analysed for data on surgical site infections, post operative complications and risk of wound dehiscence.

Results

The systematic review of reviews yielded data on 5781 patients in 25 RCTs. There was no significant difference (p < 0.05) noted in surgical site infections, post operative complications or risk of wound dehiscence post use of NAS or AS sutures.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that absorbable sutures are not superior to non absorbable sutures in the three areas examined: surgical site infections, post operative complications and risk of wound dehiscence. However, there was significant heterogeneity between included RCTs in the systematic reviews. Further RCTs are needed to evaluate the differences between absorbable and non absorbable sutures that are reflected in size of wounds and location.