In vitro evaluation of the effect of tris-EDTA and 0.0005% chlorhexidine solution on the strength of two absorbable sutures.

Summary

# Editorial Summary Surgical site infection remains a significant concern following equine celiotomy, prompting investigation into antimicrobial lavage solutions that might compromise suture integrity. Researchers conducted an in vitro mechanical assessment of three absorbable suture types (2-0 and 3-0 polyglactin 910, and 2-0 polydioxanone) commonly used for ventral midline closure, exposing knotted loops to either 0.0005% chlorhexidine with tris-EDTA or serum alone, then incubating them in equine serum for 14 and 21 days before measuring breaking force to failure. Across all three suture materials tested, no statistically significant differences were found between treatment and control groups at either time point (polyglactin 910 2-0: p = 0.35; polyglactin 910 3-0: p = 0.61; polydioxanone 2-0: p = 0.76), indicating that the antimicrobial solution did not degrade suture strength. These findings provide reassurance that chlorhexidine-tris-EDTA lavage can be incorporated into celiotomy closure protocols without concern for compromising wound healing through suture degradation, though practitioners should note this represents in vitro conditions and clinical performance may differ based on surgical technique, tissue factors, and post-operative management.

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Key Findings

• •0.0005% chlorhexidine and tris-EDTA solution had no significant effect on breaking force of 2 USP polyglactin 910 (p=0.35), 3 USP polyglactin 910 (p=0.61), or 2 USP polydioxanone (p=0.76) sutures
• •Suture strength remained stable when treated with chlorhexidine-tris-EDTA solution followed by 14 and 21 days incubation in equine serum compared to serum alone
• •All three absorbable suture types tested maintained integrity after chemical treatment and prolonged incubation

Conditions Studied