BACKGROUND: Latissimus dorsi (LD) myocutaneous flap is a popular method of breast reconstruction which can be associated with high incidence of seroma formation. Quilting sutures at the harvest site are used to reduce this. Barbed sutures are self anchoring sutures which avoid multiple knotting and can be useful in quilting. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained database of patients who underwent LD flap breast reconstruction between January 2009 and January 2011 was carried out. Seroma formation at the harvest site, wound related complications, inpatient stay and duration of surgery were analysed and a comparison was made between two groups where quilting was done with barbed (V-Loc) suture and conventional polydioxanone (PDS) II sutures. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients were included of which 33 had quilting by V-Loc sutures and in 24 patients PDS II suture was used. Median age in the PDS group was 55 years (interquartile range [IQR)], 45 to 61 years) which was comparable to the V-Loc group (53 years [IQR, 48 to 59 years]; P-value 0.948). Sixteen patients (28%) had significant seroma formation and 5 (9%) patients developed superficial wound dehiscence. Incidences of seroma or wound complications were comparable (P-value 0.378 and 1.00, respectively). Secondary outcomes such as total duration of surgery, total inpatient stay, total amount of drain at the donor site were also similar in two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Use of barbed sutures for quilting the donor site in LD flap reconstruction is a feasible option and the associated seroma formation and wound complications are comparable with conventional sutures.
Breast ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inpatients ; Mammaplasty ; Polydioxanone ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Seroma ; Sutures ; Tissue Donors

BACKGROUND: Thread lifting has been known as a minimally invasive procedure compared with the standard incisional surgery for facial rejuvenation. Although there have been several reports on acute or delayed complications after using nonabsorbable thread type, there have only been a few studies on such complications after using absorbable thread type. Hence, the aim of this study was to introduce various complications of thread lifting using the absorbable anchoring type for facial rejuvenation and to discuss about how to resolve it. METHODS: A retrospective review of 144 cosmetic patients, who underwent absorbable barbed thread lifting between July 2013 and December 2015, was performed. The procedure was done using the temporal anchoring technique. The thread used in this study are polydioxanone molding cog (PMC) and polydioxanone cutting cog (PCC), which are both the absorbable type. RESULTS: The results are as follows: Dimple was developed in 3 cases (2.1%); thread exposure was developed in 5 cases (3.5%); alopecia was developed in 3 cases (2.1%); undercorrection was developed in 3 cases (2.1%); asymmetry was developed in 1 case (0.7%); and parotid gland injury was developed in 1 case (0.7%). Out of the total 144 patients, sixteen (11.1%) patients developed at least 1 complication. There was no detectable inflammation or consistent skin excavation. CONCLUSIONS: Most complications of absorbable thread lifting are minor ones, and such complications resolve by retouching or widening the anchoring gap, but it is important to keep in mind the possibility of parotid gland injury.
Alopecia ; Fungi ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Lifting ; Parotid Gland ; Polydioxanone ; Rejuvenation* ; Retrospective Studies ; Rhytidoplasty ; Skin ; Suture Anchors ; Sutures*

Development of adhesions following pelvic surgery is a leading failure of reconstructive surgery. The aims of this study were to compare the occurrence of adhesions after a standard uterine injury infilicted by laparoscopy versus laparotomy, to compare the efficacy of 32% dextran 70 used for adhesion prophylaxis and to compare the tissue reactions to the catgut, polypropylene, polyglactin and polydioxanone suture materials. Forty rabbits were randomly assigned to four groups, of which group 1 and group 2 received operations via laparoscopy and group 3 and group 4 received via laparotomy. During operations, group 1 and group 3 were irrigated and administered with 10 ml of 32% dextran 70. The uterine horns were incised and anastomosed with four suture materials respectively. After six weeks, thirty eight rabbits were assigned to laparotomy to assess the extent of intraperitoneal adhesions. The intraperitoneal adgesions were graded according to their severity. Tissue block were obtained from the suture sites for histologic assessment. Adhesions were significantly less in laparoscopy-treated group than in laparotomy-treated group but there are no differences in the inflammatory reactions to suture material, operative manipulations or 32% dextran 70. Moderate fibrosis persisted around the catgut and oplypropylene suture, but not at all around the polydioxanone and polyglactin sutures. The routine use of intraperitioneal 32% dextran 70 has been suggested as an adjuvant to prevent postoperative adhesions, however it's user did not reduce the formation of adhesions in this study.
Animals ; Catgut ; Dextrans ; Fibrosis ; Horns ; Laparoscopy ; Laparotomy ; Polydioxanone ; Polyglactin 910 ; Polypropylenes ; Rabbits ; Sutures

While advancements in microsurgical technique and suture material have led to meticulous wound closure in cataract surgery, excessive postoperative corneal astigmatism may delay visual recovery and compromise the ultimate optical outcome. Greater efforts to prevent and control surgically induced astigmatism have been made recently since the introduction and popularized use of intraocular lenses. Control of astigmatism has been attempted with intraoperative variations in the size, location, and type of incision, the selection of suture material, attention to suture depth and technique, the use of preplaced sutures to facilitate wound closure, and most recently, the application of surgical keratometers. We reviewed follow up records to evaluate and compare the influences on corneal astigmatism after extracapsular cataract extraction(ECCE) with intraocular lens implant in 100 cases of polyglactin 9l0(vicryl) group and 50 cases of polydioxanone (PDS) group, and results were as follows; 1. In planned ECCE group, mean corneal refractive power changes was -0.14D +/- 0.47 in vicryI group and -0.17D +/- 0.78 in PDS group, there was no significant correlation between two. In phacoemulsification(KPE) group, mean corneal refractive power changes was 0.05D +/- 0.49 in vicryl group and 0.27D +/- 0.82 in PDS group. There was no significant correlation between two. 2. In total group, mean corneal refractive power changes was 0.02D +/- 0.48 in vicryl group and 0.08D +/- 0.74 in PDS group. There was no significant correlation between two groups. 3. Mean power of cylindrical lens for correction of astigmatism was -0.76D +/- 0.98 in vicry I group and -0.67D +/- 0.71 in PDS group, there was no significant correlation between two.
Astigmatism* ; Cataract* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Polydioxanone ; Polyglactin 910 ; Sutures* ; Wounds and Injuries

PURPOSE: To evaluate the tensile strength and repair-site profile of a technique of resorbable barbed suture tenorrhaphy. METHODS: Forty-eight flexor digitorum profundus tendons were collected from the 8 adult cadavers. In the test group, the tendons were sutured using absorbent 2-0 barb knotless sutures in a 2-strand or 4-strand zig-zag pattern. In the control group, 2-0 Prolene and 3-0 polydioxanone (PDS) were used to suture the tendons using the 2-stand Modified Kessler method and the 4-strand cruciate suture method. Using a tensile force measurement machine, the breaking load (N) and the stiffness (N/mm) were measured. The types of rupture were categorized into suture breaking, knot rupture, and pullout. RESULTS: In the comparative analysis between the absorbent 2-0 Quill (Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Canada) suture that used the 2-strand core suture and the 3-0 PDS and 2-0 Prolene sutures, the average breaking load for the 2-0 Quill suture was 26.83±7.47 N, and 21.96±6.78 N and 17.20±4.93 N for the 2-0 Prolene and 3-0 PDS sutures. In the comparison using the 4-strand core suture, the average breaking load for the 2-0 Quill suture was 62.50±13.34 N, and 22.35±5.72 N and 18.67±4.27 N for the 2-0 prolene and 3-0 PDS sutures. The most common type of rupture were knot rupture. CONCLUSION: For flexor tendon sutures using the absorbent barb sutures, compared to the conventional 2-0 Prolene or 3-0 PDS sutures, absorbent barbed sutures have a higher tensile strength.
Adult ; Cadaver ; Humans ; Methods ; Polydioxanone ; Polypropylenes ; Rupture ; Sutures* ; Tendons ; Tensile Strength

BACKGROUND: Face-lifting procedures are often performed to hide the effects of aging. Thread-lifting, a minimally invasive technique for the correction of facial aging, has become increasingly popular, and various materials for the procedure have been developed. OBJECTIVE: This study compared tissue responses to two types of threading sutures placed under rat skin: polypropylene (PP) monofilament mesh suspension thread (a novel face-lifting material) and polydioxanone (PDO) barbed thread. METHODS: Eight rats each were assigned to the PP monofilament mesh suspension, PDO barbed thread, and control groups. Tissue reactions were evaluated 28 days after subcutaneous loading of the materials. RESULTS: Significant increases in tensile strength and the mean area occupied by collagen fibers were evident in skin loaded with PDO barbed thread and PP monofilament mesh suspension thread compared to control skin (p<0.05). Compared to sites loaded with PDO barbed thread, those loaded with PP monofilament mesh suspension thread showed a significant increase in the number of collagen fibers and a lower grade of inflammation (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: PP monofilament mesh suspension thread has skin-rejuvenating effects comparable to those of PDO barbed thread, but induces a less severe inflammatory response. This indicates that it is a safe and effective material for use in thread-lifting procedures on aging skin.
Aging ; Animals ; Collagen ; Inflammation ; Polydioxanone ; Polypropylenes ; Rats ; Skin ; Sutures ; Tensile Strength

PROPOSE: Ureteral stents are commonly placed after routine ureteroscopic procedures to prevent acute obstruction. However, stents can cause significant symptoms and they can require a secondary procedure for removal; further, they may possibly be forgotten. In order to overcome these problems, a temporary ureteral drainage stent capable of dissolving spontaneously was developed to evaluate the tissue reaction and toxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We developed a dissolvable ureteral catheter composed of polydioxanone (PDO). We evaluated the toxicity and tissue reaction by hematologic (CBC, aminotransferase/alanine transaminase (AST/ALT), blood urea nitrogen, creatinine (BUN, Cr), alkaline phosphatase) and histologic examination (ureter, kidney and liver tissue). Twelve rabbits were placed into groups of four rabbits each: the uninserted control group, group I that had a dissolvable ureteral catheter inserted with harvest at four weeks, group II that had a dissolvable ureteral catheter inserted with harvest at eight weeks, and group III that had a dissolvable ureteral catheter inserted with harvest at twelve weeks. RESULTS: On histologic examination, the ureter had a normal appearance of transitional cells and it contained the dissolvable ureteral catheter in the ureteral lumen without any inflammatory change. The ureteral surface cells appeared normal after contact with the dissolvable ureteral catheter during the 12 weeks. Liver and kidney tissue showed mild focal inflammatory change, but no definitive difference was noted between the control and groups I, II and III. On the hematologic examination, there was no significant change of the value of CBC, AST/ALT, BUN, Cr and alkaline phosphatase due to the inserted dissolvable ureteral catheter during the 12 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: A dissolvable ureteral catheter appeared to have no toxic effect, as evidenced by histological and hematological examination. However, further study is warranted in order to overcome the catheter's limitations like for its flexibility.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Creatinine ; Drainage ; Kidney ; Liver ; Pliability ; Polydioxanone ; Rabbits ; Stents ; Ureter* ; Urinary Catheterization ; Urinary Catheters*

BACKGROUND: Nonabsorbable sutures are favorable for repairing flexor tendons. However, absorbable sutures have performed favorably in an animal model. METHODS: Two-strand sutures using the interlocking modified Kessler method with polydioxanone absorbable sutures 4-0 were used to repair completely ruptured flexor tendons in 55 fingers from 41 consecutive patients. The medical records of average 42 follow up weeks were analyzed retrospectively. The data analyzed using the chi-squared test, and Fisher's exact test was used for postoperative complications. The results were compared with those of other studies. RESULTS: Among the index, middle, ring, and little fingers were injured in 9, 17, 16, and 13 fingers, respectively. The injury levels varied from zone 1 to 5. Of the 55 digits in our study, there were 26 (47%) isolated flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) injuries and 29 (53%) combined FDP and with flexor digitorum superficialis injuries. Pulley repair was also conducted. Concomitant injuries of blood vessels and nerves were found in 17 patients (23 fingers); nerve injuries occurred in 5 patients (10 fingers). Two patients had ruptures (3.6%), and one patient had two adhesions (3.6%). Using the original Strickland criteria, all the patients were assessed to be excellent or good. Also, fibrosis and long-term foreign body tissue reactions such as stitch granuloma were less likely occurred in our study. Compared to the Cullen's report that used nonabsorbable sutures, there was no significant difference in the rupture or adhesion rates. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, this study suggests that appropriate absorbable core sutures can be used safely for flexor tendon repairs.
Animals ; Blood Vessels ; Fibrosis ; Fingers ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foreign Bodies ; Formycins ; Granuloma ; Hand ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Polydioxanone ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Ribonucleotides ; Rupture ; Sutures ; Tendon Injuries ; Tendons

The lack of sufficient oral mucosa available for intra-oral reconstruction has been dealt with by the use of skin or oral mucosa grafts harvested from donor sites but grafts requires more than one surgical procedures and could cause donor site morbidity. Many investigators have attempted to increase available soft tissue by tissue engineered skin or oral mucosa replacements for clinical applications. But, reconstructed mucosa by several methods have low physical properties such as rolling and contraction. The aims of this study were to develope an in vitro experimental model that maintains an epithelial-mesenchymal interaction by organotypic raft culture, and to characterize biologic properties of three-dimensionally cultured oral mucosa embedded with Polydioxanone mesh by histological and immunohistochemical analysis. The results were as follows; 1. Oral mucosa reconstructed by three-dimensional organotypic culture revealed similar morphologic characteristics to equvalent normal oral mucosa in the point that they show stratification and differentiation. 2. The expression of cytokeratin 10/13 and involucrin in the cultured tissue showed the same pattern with normal oral mucosa suggesting that organotypic co-culture condition is able to induce cellular differentiation. 3. After insertion of polydioxanone mesh, increased tensile strength were observed. These results suggest that three-dimensional organotypic co-culture of the oral mucosa cell lines with the dermal equvalent consisting type I collagen and fibroblasts reproduce the morphologic and immunohistochemical characteristics similar to those in vivo condition. And increased physical properties by use of polydioxanone mesh will helpful for clinical applications.
Cell Line ; Coculture Techniques ; Collagen Type I ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Keratins ; Models, Theoretical ; Mouth Mucosa* ; Mucous Membrane ; Polydioxanone* ; Research Personnel ; Skin ; Tensile Strength ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants

OBJECTIVETo repair rabbit tendon defects with tissue engineering method.

METHODSThe third passage of fetal skin fibroblast cells was labeled with 5-bromo-2' deoxyuridine (Brdu) and then seeded on human amnion extracellular matrix (HA-ECM). Using 1 cm-long-Achilles tendon defects as repairing models in the experimental group, tendon defects were core bridged with polydioxanone (PDS) and then capsulated with the complex of fibroblasts-HA-ECM. In the control group I, defective tendons were sutured with PDS following the former procedure and capsulated with HA-ECM (without fibroblasts). In the control group II, only PDS was applied to connect the defective tendons. Gross examination, light microscopy, scanning electronmicroscopy and biomechanical measurement of the repaired tendons were respectively performed at postoperative 1, 2, 3 month as well as immunohistochemical examination.

RESULTSThe optimal cell concentration for seeding fibroblasts was 3.5 x 10(6) cells/ml. Cells grew well and radiated or paralleled on HA-ECM. Immunohistochemistry showed that the labeled seed fibroblasts played an important role in tendonization. The results of light microscopy, electron microscopy, and biomechanical assessment suggested that the rate and quality of tendonization in the experimental group was superior to those of the control group I and II. The tensile strength in the experimental group was the greatest, the next was in the control group I, and the worst in the control group II (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSHA-ECM is the excellent carrier for fibroblasts. Fibroblasts-HA-ECM complex has the capability to repair tendon defect and to tendonize with rapid rate and good performance three months after operation. Its tensile strength is 81.8% of that of normal tendon.

Amnion ; transplantation ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Polydioxanone ; Rabbits ; Suture Techniques ; Tendons ; surgery ; ultrastructure ; Tensile Strength ; Wound Healing ; physiology