Triclosan-coated sutures reduce the incidence of wound infections and the costs after colorectal surgery: A randomized controlled trial

• Published in: Surgery 2013-04, Vol.153 (4), p.576-583
• Main Authors: Nakamura, Toru, MD, Kashimura, Nobuichi, MD, Noji, Takehiro, MD, Suzuki, On, MD, Ambo, Yoshiyasu, MD, Nakamura, Fumitaka, MD, Kishida, Akihiro, MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abdominal Wound Closure Techniques; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anti-Infective Agents - administration & dosage; Anti-Infective Agents - economics; Antibiotic Prophylaxis; Coated Materials, Biocompatible - administration & dosage; Coated Materials, Biocompatible - economics; Colon - surgery; Costs and Cost Analysis; Female; Humans; Length of Stay; Male; Polyglactin 910; Rectum - surgery; Surgery; Surgical Wound Infection - economics; Surgical Wound Infection - prevention & control; Sutures; Triclosan - administration & dosage; Triclosan - economics
• ISSN: 0039-6060; 1532-7361
• DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2012.11.018

Background In colorectal surgeries, surgical site infections (SSIs) frequently cause morbidity; an incidence of up to 20% has been shown in previous studies. Recently, to prevent microbial colonization of suture material in operative wounds, triclosan-coated polyglactin suture materials with antimicrobial activity have been developed; however, their significance in colorectal surgery remains unclear. This randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess the value of triclosan-coated polyglactin sutures in colorectal surgery. Methods A total of 410 consecutive patients who had undergone elective colorectal operations were enrolled in this trial. Of those patients, the 206 in the study group underwent wound closure with triclosan-coated polyglactin 910 antimicrobial sutures, and the 204 patients in the control group received conventional wound closures with polyglactin 910 sutures. Results The study group and the control group were comparable regarding risk factors for SSIs. The incidence of wound infection in the study group was 9 of 206 patients (4.3%), and that in the control group was 19 of 204 patients (9.3%). The difference is statistically significant in the 2 groups ( P  = .047). The median additional cost of wound infection management was $2,310. The actual entire additional cost, therefore, of 9 patients in the study group was $18,370, and that of 19 patients in the control group was $60,814. Conclusion Triclosan-coated sutures can reduce the incidence of wound infections and the costs in colorectal surgery.