Creep Behavior of Commonly Used Suture Materials in Abdominal Wall Surgery

• Published in: The Journal of surgical research Vol. 138; no. 1; pp. 51 - 55
• Main Authors: Nout, Erik, M.D, Lange, Johan F., M.D., Ph.D, Salu, Nathalie E., M.Sc, Wijsmuller, Arthur R., M.Sc, Hop, Wim C.J., Ph.D, Goossens, Richard H.M., Ph.D, Snijders, Chris J., Ph.D, Jeekel, Johannes, M.D., Ph.D, Kleinrensink, Gerrit-Jan, Ph.D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.03.2007; Elsevier
• Subjects: Abdominal Wall - surgery; abdominal wall hernia; Biological and medical sciences; creep; General aspects; Hernia, Abdominal - etiology; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; incisional hernia; intra-abdominal pressure; Materials Testing - instrumentation; Materials Testing - methods; Medical sciences; Polydioxanone; Polypropylenes; Postoperative Complications - etiology; Pressure; Surgery; suture; Sutures - adverse effects; Transducers; intra-abdominal pressure; creep; abdominal wall hernia; suture; incisional hernia; Use; Materials; Pressure; Abdomen; Hernia; Medicine; Treatment; Surgery; Abdominal wall; Behavior
• ISSN: 0022-4804; 1095-8673
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2006.06.001

Background The incidence of incisional hernia after abdominal wall closure is high. Furthermore, recurrence is a significant complication after correction of all abdominal wall hernias. Besides surgeon- and patient-related factors, in this experimental study a third factor, i.e., creep behavior of suture materials, is introduced and evaluated. Materials and methods Creep measurements were performed on 0 and 2-0 Prolene (Ethicon, Johnson & Johnson Intl., Somerville, NJ) and 1 and 2-0 PDSII (Ethicon, Johnson & Johnson Intl.) sutures. Two different loads were used representing normal intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and pathological IAP. A mean percentage of elongation was calculated for each type of suture material. Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance. Results All suture materials showed significant (3–51%) creep behavior. Prolene sutures showed more creep than PDSII sutures in both loading conditions. Conclusions As significant creep was demonstrated for commonly used suture materials, creep might be a significant influential factor with regard to the etiology of incisional hernias and recurrence after abdominal wall hernia repair.