Vicryl .Vs. Vicryl Rapide for Subcuticular Closure in Elective Abdominal surgeries: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background and Objectives ABSTRACT All suture materials are treated as foreign bodies and elicit a reaction in the tissues. The type of response, severity and duration of response depends on the type of suture material used. The choice of suture material is based on the concept that it should provide adequate tensile strength across the wound until tissue tensile strength has adequately developed, approximation of the epithelial portion has occurred and that the suture material should be absorbed after serving its function. The present study was undertaken to show that Vicryl Rapide is more suitable than original Vicryl for subcuticular skin closure in patients undergoing elective abdominal surgeries. Methodology The present one year randomised controlled trial was conducted in the Department of Surgery, KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Belgaum during the period December 2010 to December 2011. A total of 192 patients were randomised into 2 groups (Group I – Vicryl, Group 2 – Vicryl Rapide). The patient received either original Vicryl or Vicryl Rapide for subcuticular skin closure. Post operatively the wounds were observed and scored according to the criteria. Analysis was done using Mann Whitney U-test to test for significance between the changes in wound scores between the 3 rd and 7 th post operative day. II Results The change in wound scores between day 3 and day 7 were analysed using the Mann Whitney U-test. Analysis showed a statistically significant difference in the change in the wound score between the two groups (p = 0.000002). Conclusion and Interpretation Vicryl Rapide is more suitable than original Vicryl for subcuticular skin closure in elective abdominal surgeries.