New analyses of the published clinical studies indicate that antimicrobial sutures are effective for preventing surgical site infections (SSIs), and they can result in significant cost savings. The results are published in the British Journal of Surgery.
New analyses of the published clinical studies indicate that antimicrobial sutures are effective for preventing surgical site infections (SSIs), and they can result in significant cost savings. The results are published in the British Journal of Surgery.
In one analysis that included 21 randomized clinical trials, investigators found a risk of 138 surgical site infections per 1000 procedures, and the use of sutures coated with the antimicrobial triclosan reduced this by 39. Investigators noted that sufficient evidence exists for a 15 percent relative risk reduction in SSIs when triclosan-coated sutures are used.
In an economic analysis of results from 34 studies, triclosan sutures were linked with an average cost savings per surgical procedure of £91.25 across all wound classes when compared with non-antimicrobial-coated sutures. “Antimicrobial sutures ought to be included into SSI care bundles and provide a further significant saving to National Health Service (England) surgical practice,” said Prof. David Leaper, lead author of the economic analysis.
The papers are part of a British Journal of Surgery special issue on surgical infection.
Additional Information:
Link to studies: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/bjs.10443/full
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/bjs.10445/full
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BJS is the premier peer-reviewed surgical journal in Europe and one of the top surgical periodicals in the world. Its international readership is reflected in its prestigious international Editorial Board, supported by a panel of over 1200 reviewers worldwide. BJS features the very best in clinical and laboratory-based research on all aspects of general surgery and related topics and has a tradition of publishing high quality papers in breast, upper GI, lower GI, vascular, endocrine and surgical sciences. Papers include leading articles, reviews and original research articles, correspondence and book reviews. The journal celebrated its centennial year in 2013. The current impact factor is 5.21. Visit www.bjs.co.uk
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