The distance of insertion points from wound margins in interrupted and vertical mattress sutures influences the tensile load capacity: An in vitro experimental study

Aim: To determine the tensile load capacity (TLC) and the tearing characteristics for interrupted and vertical mattress sutures with different insertion points from the wound margin, and the effect of the bite size when using vertical mattress sutures. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 gingiva and lining mucosa samples obtained from pig jaws were divided into groups according to the suturing technique (interrupted and vertical mattress sutures), distance of the insertion points from the wound margin (margin, 1, 3, and 5 mm) and bite size (1, 3, and 5 mm). The TLC of the suture and the tearing characteristics were evaluated using a tensile tester device. Results: The TLC was significantly higher for vertical mattress sutures than for interrupted sutures regardless of the distance of the insertion points from the wound margin (intergroup p <.001). This distance significantly influenced the TLC for vertical mattress sutures (p <.05) but not for interrupted sutures (p >.05). Testing the tearing characteristics revealed that no tissue tearing occurred in groups when the insertion points were more than 3 mm from the wound margin. Conclusion: The TLC is higher for vertical mattress sutures than for interrupted sutures, and it increases when the insertion points are farther from the wound margin.