The purpose of this study is to evaluate histologically the tissue response and resorption of various nonresorbable and resorbable suture materials used for periodontal surgery, using a subcutaneous model on the dorsal surface of the rat. In this study, 10 Sprague-Dawley male rats (mean BW 150gm) were used and the commercially available materials included polyglactin 910, pain gut, nylon, e-PTFE. Animals were sacrificed at 3 days, 1, 2 and 4 weeks after implantation of various nonresorbable and resorbable suture materials. Specimens were prepared with Hematoxylin-Eosin stain for light microscopic evaluation.

The results of this study were as follows:

1. Resorption : The resorption of plain gut was showed at 1 week after implantation, was lost their structure and almost resorbed at 4 weeks. The resorption of polyglactin 910 was started at 2 weeks and slowly absorbed untill 4 weeks.

2. Tissue response : Plain gut showed persistent and severe inflammatory reactions from 3 days to 4 weeks. Polyglactin 910, e-PTFE and nylon showed mild inflammatory reactions.

Suture material should be biocompatible and be able to be functioned until tissue tensile strength reaches maximum level. In this study, polyglactin 910, nylon and e-PTFE are considered to be proper suture materials for periodontal surgery.