Microbiological Evaluation of the Antibacterial Vicryl Suture in the Mandibular Third Molar Extraction Surgery

Introduction: Suture materials selection and application have gained more importance, especially with the increasing number of patients seeking oral surgeries. Since lying in a bacterial-filled environment, sutures make the tissue prone to infection. Suture material plays an essential role in reducing the risk of infection. This study aimed to assess the success rate of an antibacterial suture, Vicryl Plus (Ethicon Inc, Johnson and Johnson Company, Somerville, NJ), in preventing bacterial growth in the surgical site of the mandibular third molar. Materials and Methods: About 27 patients were included in this double-blinded randomized clinical trial study. Surgical extraction of the mandibular wisdom tooth was done, and the incision was managed by randomly using Vicryl Plus and Vicryl (Ethicon Inc) sutures. After 7 days, sutures were removed and assessed microbiologically. Indicator species of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus were assessed, and the total number of colonies on each suture was counted. Results: There was a significant difference between the two suture materials in the colony number-length ratio of Lactobacillus (P = 0.031) and total bacterial colonies (P = 0.016), but not for S. mutans species (P = 0.201). Conclusion: Antibacterial Vicryl suture can be a useful tool to reduce bacterial accumulation on the suture material in third molar extraction surgery.