In vitro evaluation of the effect of tris‐EDTA and 0.0005% chlorhexidine solution on the strength of two absorbable sutures

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the effect of 0.0005% chlorhexidine and tris‐EDTA solution on the strength of three commonly used suture types for closure of equine ventral midline celiotomy.Study designControlled laboratory study.Sample populationKnotted loops (n = 10/group, 150 knot constructs total).MethodsStrands of 2 polyglactin 910, 3 polyglactin 910, and 2 polydioxanone were tied to form knotted loops. All knotted loops were mounted on a tabletop force measurement machine system and loaded at 100 mm/min until the breaking force (N) was determined. The breaking force (N) of knotted loops using dry suture was recorded at study start, then of knotted loops soaked in either 0.0005% chlorhexidine and tris‐EDTA for 20 min followed by incubation in equine serum (treatment) or serum alone (control) for 14 and 21 days. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) compared the breaking force between the treatment and control groups at each time point.ResultsThere was no significant difference in the breaking force of 2 USP polyglactin 910 (p = .35, confidence interval [CI] = −0.21–0.59), 3 USP polyglactin 910 (p = .61, CI = −0.41–0.24), or 2 USP polydioxanone (p = .76, CI = −0.63–0.46) soaked in 0.0005% chlorhexidine and tris‐EDTA solution followed by equine serum when compared to each respective suture soaked in equine serum only.Conclusion/clinical significanceSince 0.0005% chlorhexidine and tris‐EDTA solution did not exhibit a significant effect on the breaking force of the absorbable sutures studied, the solution may be used for incisional lavage in the clinical setting.