The Effect of Different Suture Removal Time Intervals on Surgical Wound Healing

INTRODUCTION This study was carried out to compare the effect of different suture removal time on surgical wound healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-one male albino rabbits were used. Under general and local anesthesia a moucoperiosteal rectangular flap was raised in each animal and then repositioned and sutured. The animals were randomly divided into three experimental groups of seven animals each. In group I and II the sutures were removed after 3 and 5 days respectively and were followed up for 7 and 14 days after surgery. In group III the sutures were removed after 7 days and were followed up for 14 days after surgery. Tissue reactions were observed and recorded using inflammation and gingival indexes at 7 and 14 days after surgery in all three groups. Inflammation and gingival indexes were analyzed by Kurskal Wallis, Firedman and Wilcoxone tests. RESULTS Results showed that inflammation index was significantly different with two other groups at the day 7 after surgery (P<0.008). Gingival index in group II was significantly different from two other groups at the day 14 (P<0.028); however, there was no significant difference between group II and III at the same interval. CONCLUSION Based on result of this study, 5 days was recognized to the best time interval for suture removal in comparison with two other time intervals.