An evaluation of 8-0 Polyglactin 910 synthetic absorbable suture in cataract surgery.

This study describes the operative and postoperative performance of 8-0 Polyglactin 910 in cataract surgery. The evaluation represents a clinical comparison of 7-0 Polyglactin 910 to the same suture in 8-0 size in 155 cataract surgical procedures. In 45 cases, 8-0 Polyglactin 910 was the sole wound closure material used. 8-0 Polyglactin 910 provided high tensile strength, good knot security, batch-to-batch uniformity, ease of handling, minimal reaction, and a predictable absorption rate that was virtually completed in 33 days. When compared to 7-0 Polyglactin 910, 8-0 produced less tissue drag, fibrillation, and reaction. Early in our series, three cases of wound dehiscence occurred. One was caused by trauma and the other two by 8-0 Polyglactin 910 cutting through tissue. This study's conclusion stresses avoiding the tendency of tying the knot too tightly to prevent suture pull-out.