Material properties of ophthalmic sutures after sterilization and disinfection

Purpose: To assess the effects that sterilization and disinfection have on the tensile properties of commonly used ophthalmic sutures. Setting: University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom. Methods: The sutures 10-0 nylon, 10-0 polypropylene (Prolene(R)), 8-0 virgi n silk, and 8-0 polyglactin 910 (Vicryl(R)) were subjected to thermal or ch emical sterilization/disinfection including autoclaving, boiling, and immer sion in alcohol dr glutaraldehyde. Measurements of tensile strength, suture extension to the point of failure, and suture stiffness were then performe d, Results: Nylon and Prolene were little affected by ail sterilization and di sinfection methods. Virgin silk and Vicryl were weakened by thermal methods of sterilization and disinfection. Both Vicryl, and to a lesser extent vir gin silk, appeared to be strengthened by immersion in alcohol or glutaralde hyde. Conclusion: The casual reuse of ophthalmic sutures is not recommended. Howe ver, when there is no alternative, nylon and Prolene monofilaments can be a utoclaved or immersed in fresh activated glutaraldehyde, and Vicryl and vir gin silk can be immersed in fresh activated glutaraldehyde without signific ant loss of tensile strength. (C) 1999 ASCRS and ESCRS.