Comparing the Efficacy of Triclosan Coated Sutures versus Chlorhexidine Coated Sutures in Preventing Surgical Site Infection after Removal of Impacted Mandibular Third Molar

The aim of this present clinical trial study is evaluate the efficacy of triclosan coated sutures versus chlorhexidine coated sutures in preventing surgical site infection after removal of an impacted mandibular third molar. This prospective, single blind study included 30 patients divided into two groups with 15 patients each who had been referred to the Oral Surgery Clinic at Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Saveetha Dental College, Chennai for surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molar under local anaesthesia. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups: Group 1 were treated with (3-0) antimicrobial triclosan impregnated polyglactin sutures for closure and in group 2 with (3–0) antimicrobial chlorhexidine diacetate-impregnated polyglactin sutures. Evaluation in regard to infection rate, abnormal erythema, pain and trismus between two groups was done on the 7th day postoperatively. In this study we observed that no significant difference in rates of infection between the groups. Abnormal erythema and trismus showed better results in group 2(chlorhexidine group) on 7th day postoperatively whereas incidence of pain was higher in patients treated with chlorhexidine coated sutures on the 7th day postoperatively as compared to patients treated with triclosan coated sutures. However, P value was >0.05 which was considered statistically insignificant. Within the limitations of the present study, chlorhexidine diacetate-impregnated polyglactin sutures showed reduced infection rates,erythema and trismus as compared to triclosan impregnated polyglactin sutures in healthy patients undergoing surgical removal of third molar under local anesthesia.