Efficacy of Murva (Sansevieria roxburghiana Schult. and Schult.f.) as a suture material in closure of incisions in third molar surgeries: A prospective study

INTRODUCTION: Adequate closure of the surgical wound is one of the most important aspects of surgery; improper suturing techniques or improper suturing materials sometimes compromise the success of surgery. Many synthetic materials have replaced the natural materials, which were once used for suturing in the ancient era, and Murva is one of them. There are references of Murva (Sansevieria roxburghiana Schult. and Schult.f.) at various contexts of “Sushruta Samhita” where it has been used as a suture material. It is a xerophytic herbaceous plant occurring abundantly in the eastern coastal region of India. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Murva fibers as a suturing material in closure of intraoral incision in third molar surgeries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty incisions (Wards incision) placed for the surgical removal of mandibular third molar were sutured with Murva, and follow-up was carried out postoperatively on 1(st), 2(nd), 3(rd), and 7(th) day. Patients were evaluated for pain, swelling, bleeding, infection, wound dehiscence, local tissue irritation, and bacterial colonization. RESULTS: On various follow-ups, progressively significant and predictable healing was observed without any uneventful evidence. CONCLUSION: The use of Murva as a suture material proved to be effective in closure of intraoral incisions.