Intestinal incision site infections: Evaluation of antimicrobial-coated vicryl sutures in preventing postoperative infections

• Published in: Materials letters 2025-01, Vol.379, p.137683, Article 137683
• Main Authors: Rafique, Sobia, Butt, Muhammad Shoaib
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antimicrobial Activity; Herbal Extract; Simulated Intestinal Fluid; Surgical Site Infections
• ISSN: 0167-577X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2024.137683

•PEG, ZnO NPs, and Curcuma longa-coated Vicryl sutures showed antibacterial activity.•Coated sutures showed increased mechanical strength due to ZnO NPs and PEG matrix reinforcement.•Biocompatibility of coated sutures achieved via non-toxic PEG and Curcuma longa bioactive. This research focused on the development of an antimicrobial polymeric composite coating of polyethylene glycol (PEG) infused with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO) and herbal extracts from Curcuma longa (turmeric). The synthesized composite is coated on a biodegradable vicryl suture via the dip coating method. Instrumental characterization, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), was utilized to confirm the chemical composition and surface of the coated suture. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated against bacterial pathogens, Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The water contact angle was measured to determine surface wettability. Degradation studies were conducted in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) to determine the coated suture’s longevity.