Initial inflammatory response of skeletal muscle to commonly used suture materials: An animal model study to evaluate muscle healing after surgical repair – histopathological perspective

OBJECTIVES To evaluate initial inflammatory response of skeletal muscle to a few commonly used suture materials for muscle repair namely nylon, polydiaxonone (PDS II), plain catgut and polygalactin 910 which in turn determines the scarring of muscle and loss of function. MATERIAL AND METHODS Inflammation and healing of muscle post repair was evaluated in the lateral thigh muscle (biceps femoris) of 8 adult healthy male Rattus norvegicus. The inflammatory reaction & healing of the skeletal muscle was evaluated histologically at the end of 48 hours, 1 week and 3 weeks. RESULTS At 48 hours post-surgery, Nylon samples showed severe inflammation followed by Catgut and Polygalactin. At 1 week post-surgery, the catgut group demonstrated increased macrophages infiltration while Nylon demonstrated persistant lymphocytic pro-inflammatory component. PDS sutures elicited minimal inflammatory response all through. CONCLUSION In the present study the most desirable suture material was determined to be PDS due to its minimal tissue response and superior handling qualities. However the fact that the presence of macrophages in healing muscle enhances the repair process would be a pointer to create an environment which contains the sustained presence of macrophages to enhance optimal healing of skeletal muscle in the presence of an ideal suture material.