AIM:To compare 10-0 nylon suture with 8-0 absorbable suture on conjunctival incision in microscopy strabismus surgery.

METHODS:The patients undergone esotropia or exotropia surgery in our hospital were selected and randomly divided into two groups: conjunctival incision of 32 patients(41 eyes)was sutured using 10-0 nylon in control group and that of 30 patients(38 eyes)used 8-0 absorbable suture in observation group. All patients of two group were sutured using intermittently, knot buried method. Wound healing, patients perceived irritation were observed and compared at postoperative 1, 2wk and 1mo.

RESULTS: Postoperative 1 and 2wk, the number of suture absorption and incision gaping were 7 and 15 eyes in observation group, with total incidence rate of 39%, while there was no suture absorption and incision gaping occurred in control group, the incidence was 0, the difference was statistically significant between the two groups(P<0.05). One month after operation, 33 eyes' incision in observation group had some discomforts such as stitches residue, hyperemia, foreign body sensation, who were proposal to remove stitches, the stitches rate was 87%. Incision healed well after 2wk in the control group, all 41 eyes were stitched and stitches rate was 100%. There was no statistically significant difference(P>0.05). Comparing the mean postoperative wound healing time, it was 22.30±5.45d in observation group and 15.50±1.76d in control group, the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). There was no significant difference on ocular comfort score between the two groups after 1, 2wk(P>0.05). Postoperative 1mo, ocular comfort scores in control group(2.57±0.50)was higher than that in observation group(1.813±0.64), the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: There was no difference using 10-0 nylon suture or 8-0 absorbable suture to suture conjunctival incision in microscopy strabismus surgery. Due to premature absorption of sutures, the incision healed delayed. 10-0 suture is recommend to suture bulbar conjunctiva in microscopy strabismus surgery.