LAUSR

INTRODUCTION A wide array of suture materials and designs are available due to an extensive range of wounds differing in size, tissue type, biological environment, and host state. Among other qualities, sutures may be categorized as monofilament versus braided, as well as barbed versus nonbarbed. Although appropriate closure of clean surgical wounds may be accomplished without sequela using a wide variety of suture materials, closure of contaminated and/or infected wounds can magnify the properties of the individual suture type and associated bacterial infection.1 Surgical site infections are catastrophic events, particularly after procedures utilizing implants or instrumentation, and often require secondary interventions along with sustainable wound closure.2,3 Because of the unique dual role suture material plays, both as a means of appropriate closure as well as a contributor to bacterial colonization, spine surgeons should be aware of possible advantages and disadvantages of different suture properties in the setting of infection.