Effect of Petrolatum Coating on Fast-absorbing Gut Suture

This study is designed to evaluate the effect of using petrolatum to coat gut suture. This coating is commonly performed to make the suture more easy to handle; however, it was unknown if it affects the absorption rate of the suture. Two gut sutures were placed into the skin of 14 healthy volunteers and randomized between coated and uncoated with petrolatum. Participants self-reported the time to resorption. The study concluded that there was no significant effect to the application of petrolatum, and reinforced that the gut sutures are a natural product with some inherent variability to their absorption.

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Key information

Conditions

Suture Absorbable, Coated Sutures Closure Technique Dermatology Mohs Micrographic Surgery Suture Dermatologic Suture Techniques

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Healthy volunteers within department of Dermatology
Able to receive care within the host facility (Dept of Defense)

Exclusion criteria

current or planned pregnancy
Allergy to lidocaine
Infection on the shoulder site

Treatment and study plan

Petrolatum coating of fast-absorbing gut suture

Device

6-0 fast absorbing gut suture was coated with sterile petrolatum and a single interrupted suture was placed into the skin of the deltoid

Other names: petrolatum coating

Primary outcomes

Length of time that suture remains intact in skin following petrolatum coating compared with standard fast-absorbing gut suture.

Time frame: Postprocedurally daily until suture is degraded (less than 2 weeks)

Length of time in hours of suture remaining in skin prior to breakdown was recorded for both uncoated and coated suture.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium

Fed

Registry information

Official study title

Effect Of Petrolatum On Absorption of Fast Gut Suture In Vivo

Important dates

Study start: 2016
Primary completion: 2016
Study completion: 2016
First posted: Aug 17, 2025
Registry last updated: Aug 17, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed