Autotrichograft sutures in cataract

Suturing in cataract surgery is now practised almost universally. Advances in materials and techniques are enabling us to achieve more satisfactory wound healing with a shorter duration of postoperative inflammation. The suture material needs to be of fine calibre, non-irritant, absorbable, non-antigenic, strong enough to withstand the intraocular pressure, and able to maintain a knot without slipping. The sutures in general use are of proteinaceous material derived from other species of the animal kingdom, and synthetic materials, such as Orlon, Perlon, and Monofilament Nylon (Aquavella and Sheehey, i969), are also used. The latter, being non-absorbable may lead to physical irritation. Aichmair (i963), comparing 6-o catgut (Ethicon) and 6-o silk (Ethicon), investigated the incidence of wound dehiscence and flat anterior chamber, with resultant secondary glaucoma or other complications. Wound leakage through suture sites was studied by Sugar and Deen (i963), who stressed the importance of coaptation of the wound edges as determined by the even penetration of the needle at the two edges. Epithelial downgrowth, a very discouraging complication of cataract surgery, has bee