Assessment of the Mechanical Properties of Different Suture Materials for Oral Surgery: An In Vitro Tensile Strength Study.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Sutures are essential components of wound closure in oral surgery, and the mechanical properties of suture materials play a crucial role in determining surgical outcomes. Understanding the tensile strengths of various suture materials is vital for selecting the most appropriate material for specific clinical applications. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the tensile strength of suture materials commonly used in oral surgery through an in vitro tensile strength study. METHODS: A total of 192 samples of six commonly used suture materials (polyglycolic acid (PGA), polyglactin 910 (PGLA), polylactic acid (PLA), polydioxanone (PDO), silk, and nylon) were subjected to tensile strength testing using a universal testing machine. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the tensile strength of each suture material. A comparative analysis was conducted using appropriate statistical tests to identify any significant differences in the tensile strength among the different materials. RESULTS: Significant variability in tensile strength was observed among the suture materials in newtons (N). PGLA exhibited the highest mean tensile strength (38.7 N), followed closely by PDO (37.1 N), whereas silk displayed the lowest tensile strength (32.8 N). Comparative analysis revealed significant differences in the tensile strength among the materials (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study provides valuable insights into the mechanical properties of the suture materials commonly used in oral surgery. These findings underscore the importance of considering tensile strength when selecting suture materials for specific clinical scenarios, thereby optimizing wound closure techniques and improving patient outcomes.