Irradiated polyglactin 910 (Vicryl Rapide) for intranasal mucosal closure: rapid suture clearance without wound complications.

BACKGROUND

Standard Vicryl sutures on the lateral nasal wall and septum show half-lives of 70 and 64 days, causing crusting, obstruction, irritation, and odor. Irradiated Vicryl Rapide absorbs faster.

AIMS: We aimed to evaluate the clinical usefulness of Vicryl Rapide for mucosal suturing in the nasal cavity by assessing wound status and suture clearance.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 36 consecutive patients who underwent septoplasty, and/or inferior turbinectomy, and/or endoscopic modified medial maxillectomy (EMMM) with Vicryl Rapide mucosal closure between October 2025 and March 2026. Suture clearance was defined as the clinical absence of visible suture material on nasal endoscopy. Wound infection and dehiscence were recorded at outpatient visits. Remaining suture threads were counted at each visit.

RESULTS

No wound infection or dehiscence was observed. Model-estimated median suture clearance time was 15.4 days (95% CI: 14.2-16.6) on the nasal septum and 14.6 days (95% CI: 13.6-15.5) on the lateral nasal wall, with no significant difference between sites (p = 0.093). The maximum observed suture persistence was 19 days on the nasal septum and 21 days on the lateral nasal wall.

CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: Vicryl Rapide achieved short-term mucosal closure without observed infection or dehiscence in this series.