An evaluation of 8-0 polyglycolic acid braided synthetic absorbable suture in cataract surgery.

This study describes the operative and postoperative performance of 8-0 polyglycolic acid braided suture, trademarked Dexon "s", in cataract surgery. The evaluation consists of a clinical comparison of 8-0 Dexon to the same suture in 7-0 size in 109 cataract surgical procedures. The 8-0 Dexon, like 7-0, gave high tensile strength, good knot security, batch-to-batch uniformity, relatively good pliability, and provoked minimal reaction while disappearing at a predictable rate of around 35 days. When compared to 7-0 Dexon, 8-0 produced less tissue drag, fibrillation, and reaction, while providing better pliability. However, the smaller suture possessed less tensile strength, and had an increased tendency to cut through tissue when tied too tightly.