A Randomized Controlled Trial to Compare Efficacy in Reducing Surgical Site Infection of Monocryl Plus versus Monocryl in Subcuticular Skin Suturing In Patients with Elective Inguinal Hernia Repair – A One Year Study

Abstract

Background and objectives Sutures are a contributory factor in surgical site infections. This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of newly introduced antibacterial suture (monocryl plus) compared to traditional suture (monocryl) in reducing surgical site infections among the patients undergoing inguinal hernia and to see the use of antibiotics post operatively. Methodology The present randomized controlled trial was done in the Department of General Surgery, KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Belgaum. A total of 60 patients undergoing elective inguinal hernia repair from January 2013 to December 2013 were divided into two groups of 30 each that is, Group MP (wound closure using Monocryl plus suture) and Group M (wound closure using conventional monocryl). Results Most of the patients in group M were aged > 60 years (40%) compared to 31 to 45 years in group MP (33.33%) (p=0.341) and mean age in group M was 56.96±15.79 compared to 45.50±18.08 years in group MP (p=0.060). On post operative day three, grade IC SSI was noted in 3.33% of the patients each in group M and group MP (p=1.000). On day five, among the patients with group M, grade IA and IC (6.67% each) SSI was noted compared to grade IA and IIIC (3.33% each) in group MP (p=0.513). On day seven, grade IA and IC were present in 3.33% and 10% of the patients in group M and in group MP, grade IA and IIIB were noted among 3.33% of the patients each (p=0.237). One patient (3.33%) in group MP had grade V SSI (p=1.000). The mean duration of antibiotic administration in group M and MP was comparable (2.20 ± 0.41 vs 2.13 ± 0.57 days; p=0.604). Conclusion and interpretation The efficacy of new antibacterial suture (monocryl Plus) is comparable with a traditional suture (monocryl). Also the requirement of antibiotics using monocryl plus is same as compared to conventional monocryl.