Histologic Comparison of Inflammatory Responses to Absorbable and Nonabsorbable Sutures in a Porcine Periorbital Model

Authors

• Rachel Lee, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Medical Student
• Samuel Girian, Pediatric Plastic Surgery Resident - Corewell Health West
• Allison Gerras, Michigan State University
• Akanksha Kapur, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Medical Student
• Cameron Coates, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Medical Student
• Zeinab Mhanna, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Medical Student
• Harish Neelam, Michigan State University Biostatistics Student
• Ronald Ford, Plastic Surgery - Corewell Health West
• Heather Laird-Fick, Michigan State University
• Adam Hassan, Surgery - Corewell Health West

Document Type

Conference Proceeding - Restricted Access

Publication Date

5-8-2026

Abstract

The periorbital region has thin, vascular skin and dynamic eyelid movement, creating unique considerations for wound closure. Suture selection may influence function and cosmesis, yet histologic evidence is limited. This study evaluated histologic inflammatory and tissue responses to absorbable and nonabsorbable sutures in a porcine model.

Four Yorkshire swine (20.5kg) underwent bilateral upper and lower eyelid elliptical excisions, closed with 6-0 plain gut, 6-0 polypropylene, or 6-0 nylon. Tissues (n=16) were harvested on postoperative day 7 and graded using a standardized 0-4 histologic scale across multiple inflammatory parameters: neutrophilic, macrophagic, and lymphoplasmacytic inflammation, as well as granulation tissue, fibrosis, hemorrhage/edema, epithelialization, and necrosis.

Sixteen eyelid specimens were analyzed. No significant differences in acute inflammatory response were observed between individual suture materials or between absorbable and nonabsorbable suture classes. Lower eyelid specimens demonstrated significantly higher neutrophilic inflammation compared with upper eyelids (mean ±SD: 2.5 ±1.2 vs 1.0 ±0.0; p< 0.05). No interaction effects were identified between suture material or class and eyelid location for any histologic outcome.

Absorbable and nonabsorbable sutures elicit comparable acute inflammatory responses in the eyelid. Eyelid location appears to be a more influential determinant of acute inflammatory response than suture composition alone. These findings suggest that suture selection may be guided by patient-specific factors and surgeon preference rather than concern for differential early tissue inflammation.

Recommended Citation

Lee R, Girian S, Gerras A, Kapur A, Coates C, Mhanna Z, Neelam H, Ford R, Laird-Fick H, Hassan A. Histologic comparison of inflammatory responses to absorbable and nonabsorbable sutures in a porcine periorbital model. Presented at: Research Day Corewell Health West; 2026 May 8; Grand Rapids, MI.

Comments

2026 Research Day Corewell Health West, Grand Rapids, MI, May 8, 2026. Abstract 2035