Subcuticular catgut versus polyglactin 910 in scar formation in sheep

Abstract

The aim of this double blind prospective experimental study was to compare the influence of poly­glactin 910 (Vicryl, Ethycon ) and plain catgut (Soficat-Plein,Braun) as subcuticular tissue sutures on wound heal­ing and scar formation in sheep. Scar excision together with the surrounding tissue was made three months later. Scars were compared visually, photographed and examined under a light microscope. All scars were cosmetically acceptable, linearly hardly visible, aplanated and less than 1 mm in width with no difference between the parts in which plain catgut or polyglactin 910 were used. All photographs were examined by a plastic surgeon as well as by a dermatologist and they confirmed that all scars were cosmetically acceptable, hardly visible, aplanated and less than 1 mm in width. During the light microscopic examination done by the dermatologist foreign body granulomas were found in two scars where the subcuticular plain catgut was used. Concerning the plain catgut as an animal and foreign body granuloma inductor, the use of polyglactin 910 seems to be beter.