The effect of triclosan-coated sutures in wound healing. A double blind randomised prospective pilot study.

Background: Wound infection and dehiscence are both major contributors to postoperative morbidity. One potential cause or co-factor is the use of suture material. A recently introduced subcutaneous suture is coated with triclosan (TC), an antiseptic drug. It is suggested to reduce wound complications.

Methods: To investigate the effect of TC on wound healing a double blind prospective pilot study in women undergoing a breast reduction was performed. Each patient was her own control. After randomisation the TC-coated sutures were used either on the left or right side. The contralateral side was used as the control. The incidence of dehiscence was studied.

Results: Twenty-six patients were included. In the TC breasts there was a wound dehiscence in 16 cases, whereas in the control breasts in seven cases a dehiscence was observed (P=0.023).

Conclusion: These results suggest that TC-coated sutures should be used with caution. These sutures have already been introduced on to the market without good clinical studies and might have potential adverse effects as shown by these data.