Effect of triclosan coated sutures on surgical site infections in pilonidal sinus: Single blind randomized controlled study

Introduction: Surgical sutures have been considered as an infectious focus for over 30 years. Bacterial colonization on suture materials was showed in many studies. In vivo and in vitro studies have shown that triklosan coated sutures may decrease bacterial colonization in surgical site. In this study we aimed to investigate the effect of triklosan coated sutures on surgical site infections in pilonidal sinus disease. Materials-Method: Between January 2010-January 2013 116 patients presented with pilonidal sinus in Dokuz Eylul University General Surgey and Izmir Ataturk State hospital policlinics were randomized into 2 groups. In study group triklosan coated monofilament polydioxanone 1/0, triklosan coated polyglactin 3/0 and triklosan coated monofilament polydioxanone 3/0; in control group monofilament polypropylene 1/0, polyglactin 3/0 and monofilament polypropylene 3/0 sutures were used for primary closure. Surgical site infection rates were compared between two groups. Results: Demographic and surgical features were similar between two groups. Overall surgical site infection rate after 30 days was 13.6% (n=17). In triklosan group 6 (9.5%) patients had surgical site infection. Surgical site infection rate in control group was 17.7% (n=11). Difference between two groups was not statistically significant (p=0.180). Overall seroma rate was %20 (n=25). Seroma rate in triklosan group was significantly higher than control group (30% vs 9.6%, p=0.004). Wound dehiscence rates in triklosan and control groups were 14.2% and 4.8% respectively (p=0.073). Conclusion: In regard to our study triklosan coated sutures have a lower surgical site infection rate but the difference between two groups was not statistically significant. Triklosan coated sutures may decrease surgical site infections but more randomized studies with large series should be performed.