Multi-center randomized controlled trial on the effect of triclosan-coated sutures on surgical site infection after colorectal surgery

Surgical site infection (SSI) remains the most frequent complication after colorectal resection. The role of sutures coated with antimicrobial agents such as triclosan in reducing SSI is controversial. Methods: This was a multi-center randomized controlled trial with patients and outcome assessors blinded to treatment. The study was performed in four university referral hospitals. Patient candidates for elective colorectal resection were assigned randomly to abdominal incision closure with polyglactin 910 triclosan-coated sutures (triclosan group) or with polyglactin 910 without triclosan (control group). The primary outcome was the rate of SSI within 30 d after hospital discharge. The secondary outcomes were the overall rate of incision complications and length of hospital stay (LOS). Results: Two hundred eighty-one patients (triclosan group: 140; control group: 141) were analyzed after randomization. The rate of SSI was 12.9% (18/140) in the triclosan group versus 10.6% (15/141) in the control group (odds ratio: 1.24; 95% confidence interval: 0.60-2.57; p=0.564). Secondary outcome analysis showed an overall incision complication rate of 38.3% in the control group versus 45.7% in the triclosan group (odds ratio: 1.36; 95% confidence interval: 0.84-2.18; p=0.208). Median LOS was 11 d in both groups (p=0.55). Conclusions: Surgical sutures coated with triclosan do not appear to be effective in reducing the rate of SSI.