Evaluation of the efficacy of plain silk sutures versus chlorhexidine coated silk sutures on bacterial adherence post periodontal flap surgery

Periodontal disease management is based on non-surgical measures like scaling and root planning and surgical treatment like periodontal flap surgery. Sutures are used for wound approximation following periodontal flap surgery. Sutures impregnated with antibacterial agents have been developed in an attempt to reduce bacterial adherence and colonization. Chlorhexidine, a synthetic antimicrobial drug can be used in such situations. This study aimed to evaluate the wound healing and colony count of P. gingivalis in plain silk suture and chlorhexidine gel coated silk suture 7 days post periodontal flap surgery. Twelve periodontitis subjects were selected and divided into group A with 6 subjects who undergone periodontal flap surgery followed by placement of plain silk sutures, group B with 6 subjects who undergone periodontal flap surgery followed by placement of chlorhexidine gel coated silk sutures. On 7th day, wound healing was analysed and the sutures were sent for bacterial culture of P. gingivalis bacteria. On intergroup comparison, significant reduction in the CFU count of P. gingivalis was observed in group B. But there was no significant difference in wound healing between both groups. The chlorhexidine coated silk sutures resulted in a satisfactory clinical behavior for routine use without the risk of bacterial contamination of the surgical wound. Hence it can be used in the routine wound closure post periodontal flap surgery without the hindrance of bacterial adhesion.