Suture Material Selection — ORE Part 1 MCQ

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EasyOral SurgerySuture Material SelectionORE Part 1

Which type of suture material is most appropriate for closure of an oral mucosal wound in the mouth?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: B — Resorbable sutures (e.g., Vicryl Rapide)

Explanation lettering: E = shown as A · A = shown as B · B = shown as C · C = shown as D · D = shown as E

Resorbable sutures, particularly Vicryl Rapide (polyglactin 910), are the gold standard for routine intraoral mucosal wound closure. Absorbable materials offer three key advantages: (1) they dissolve spontaneously, eliminating the need for removal in the moist oral environment, improving patient comfort; (2) they exhibit significantly lower bacterial colonization compared to non-resorbable braided materials, reducing infection risk; (3) they are biologically compatible with oral mucosa. Non-resorbable silk (B) requires removal and carries bacterial adherence risk. Non-resorbable nylon (C) similarly requires removal. Stainless steel wire (D) is reserved for maxillofacial fracture fixation, not mucosal closure. Polyester braided (E) is non-resorbable and braided, making it prone to bacterial colonization in the oral cavity.

Reference: Banche G, et al. Microbial adherence on various intraoral suture materials in patients undergoing dental surgery. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2007;65(8):1503–1507. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17656275/