Suture complications in a teaching institution among patients undergoing uterosacral ligament suspension with permanent braided suture

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Our study aimed to identify the rate of suture complications over a 5-year period using braided permanent suture for uterosacral ligament suspension (USLS) surgery. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent vaginal uterosacral ligament suspensions using braided polyester suture. Outcome measures included rate and timing of suture complications, patient symptoms post-operatively, efficacy of treatment modalities and surgical success. RESULTS: Eighty-three patients had undergone USLS with braided, polyester suture over the study period that met inclusion criteria. Thirty-seven patients (44.6%) had suture-related complications post-operatively with a mean follow-up of 10.4 months. When only silver nitrate was applied, 16.7% improved, and when the suture was cut in clinic, 77.8% resolved. CONCLUSIONS: Permanent polyester braided suture for suspension of vaginal vault may lead to an unacceptably high suture erosion rate, cutting the suture in clinic results in the highest resolution.