Abstract
This randomized prospective clinical study compared the use of two absorbable sutures, Vicryl Rapide
® versus Vicryl
®, in elective paediatric hand surgery. Sixty children were randomly allocated into two groups (30 in each group) and all were seen and assessed at 3 and 6 weeks for wound complications and suture reactions. Five problems occurred in the Vicryl
® treatment group and none in the Vicryl Rapide
® group
(
P
=
0.03
)
. All the problems were related to the delayed absorption of the Vicryl
® suture material and hence the prolonged presence of the suture in the hands of these children. It is concluded that Vicryl Rapide
® sutures are more suitable than Vicryl
® ones in paediatric hand surgery.