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Chronic PainPolySutureNCT07280975

Comparing Polyglactin vs Polypropylene Sutures for Rectus Sheath Closure

A study testing Polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) Suture and Polypropylene (Prolene) Suture in people with Chronic Pain and Wound Dehiscence, run by Lady Reading Hospital, Pakistan at 1 site in Pakistan.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the outcomes of Polyglactin (Vicryl) versus Polypropylene (Prolene) sutures for rectus sheath closure in patients undergoing midline laparotomy. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 70 years
What is being tested?
Polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) Suture and Polypropylene (Prolene) Suture
Type of treatment
Surgery or procedure
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
156 participants
Where
1 sitePakistan
Study dates
1 Apr 2026to 30 Jul 2027
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 70 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Age: 18-70 years.
  • Type of Surgery: Patients undergoing elective or emergency midline laparotomy.
  • Wound Classification: Clean or clean-contaminated wounds (CDC Class I or II).
  • Ability to Provide Informed Consent: Participants must be able to understand and sign the informed consent form.
  • Availability for Follow-Up: Participants must be available for 6 months follow-up.

Who cannot join

  • Contaminated or Dirty Wounds: Patients with CDC Class III or IV wounds.
  • Immunocompromised Conditions: Patients on steroids, chemotherapy, or those with HIV.
  • Previous Midline Laparotomy with Incisional Hernia: Patients who have a history of incisional hernia after midline laparotomy.
  • Severe Malnutrition: Patients with BMI < 16 kg/m² or albumin < 2.5 g/dL.
  • Emergency Laparotomy with Hemodynamic Instability: Patients who are unstable or in a critical condition.
  • Pregnancy: Pregnant women.
  • Need for Temporary Abdominal Closure or Planned Reoperation: Patients requiring staged reoperation or temporary closure.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Dr. Atta Ullah Arif Associate Professor, MBBS, FCPS contact

+92 333 9126978

attaullah.arif@Irh.edu.pk

Pakistan1 site
  • Lady Reading Hospital, Department of General Surgery

    Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 25000

Other trials in Pakistan

About this study

Official title: Comparative Outcomes of Polyglactin Versus Polypropylene Sutures for Rectus Sheath Closure: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the outcomes of Polyglactin (Vicryl) versus Polypropylene (Prolene) sutures for rectus sheath closure in patients undergoing midline laparotomy. The study will evaluate the rates of incisional hernia, surgical site infection (SSI), wound dehiscence, chronic pain, and suture sinus formation. Participants aged 18-70 years, undergoing either elective or emergency laparotomy, will be randomly assigned to receive either Polyglactin or Polypropylene sutures. The primary outcome measure is the incidence of incisional hernia at 6 months, with secondary outcomes including SSI, wound complications, and chronic pain. The study is particularly important in the context of Pakistan, where such comparative data is limited, and aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for optimal suture material selection in general surgery.

Read the detailed description

Study Design This randomized controlled trial is designed to compare the outcomes of two suture materials-Polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) and Polypropylene (Prolene)-for rectus sheath closure after midline laparotomy. The study will be conducted at the Department of General Surgery, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, over 12 months. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups: Group A (Polyglactin) and Group B (Polypropylene). The primary outcome is the rate of incisional hernia at 6 months postoperatively. Secondary outcomes include surgical site infection (SSI), wound dehiscence, chronic pain, and suture sinus formation.

■ Participants The study will include patients aged 18 to 70 years undergoing elective or emergency midline laparotomy with clean or clean-contaminated wounds (CDC Class I or II).

Inclusion Criteria:

Aged 18-70 years

Elective or emergency laparotomy

Clean or clean-contaminated wounds

Ability to provide informed consent

Availability for 6-month follow-up

Exclusion Criteria:

Contaminated or dirty wounds (CDC Class III or IV)

Immunocompromised patients (e.g., on steroids, chemotherapy, HIV)

Prior midline laparotomy with incisional hernia

Severe malnutrition (BMI <16 kg/m² or albumin <2.5 g/dL)

Pregnancy

Requirement for temporary abdominal closure or planned reoperation

■ Interventions

Polyglactin (Vicryl): A synthetic absorbable braided suture composed of glycolide and lactide copolymers. It is absorbed by hydrolysis over 56-70 days, providing temporary wound support during healing.

Polypropylene (Prolene): A synthetic non-absorbable monofilament suture known for its permanent tensile strength and excellent biocompatibility, offering long-term mechanical support and minimal tissue reaction.

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome:

Incidence of incisional hernia at 6 months, confirmed by clinical examination and ultrasound if necessary.

Secondary Outcomes:

Surgical Site Infection (SSI): Defined as an infection occurring within 30 days post-surgery, classified as superficial, deep, or organ/space.

Wound Dehiscence: Partial or complete disruption of the abdominal wall closure within 30 days post-surgery.

Chronic Pain: Persistent pain at the surgical site lasting more than 3 months, assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

Suture Sinus Formation: Chronic draining tract related to the suture material.

Statistical Analysis Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 26. Chi-square tests will compare proportions of complications between the two groups, and relative risk will be calculated with 95% confidence intervals. Stratified analysis will assess the impact of potential modifiers such as age, gender, and comorbidities (e.g., diabetes, hypertension).

Potential Impact The findings from this study aim to improve surgical outcomes in Pakistan and similar settings. By identifying the more effective suture material for rectus sheath closure, this research will help guide clinical practices, reducing common complications like incisional hernia and infection. It may also contribute to better surgical standards in regions lacking high-quality comparative data.

Being tested
Polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) Suture, Polypropylene (Prolene) Suture
Keywords
Polyglactin Sutures, Polypropylene Sutures, Non-Absorbable Sutures, Postoperative Complications, Midline Laparotomy
Medical subject headings
Chronic Pain, Surgical Wound Infection, Incisional Hernia, Postoperative Complications

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) SutureProcedure or surgery

    Polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) is an absorbable synthetic multifilament suture material used for rectus sheath closure following laparotomy. This suture material undergoes hydrolytic degradation over a period of 56-70 days and retains approximately 75% of its tensile strength at 2 weeks and 50% at 3 weeks, which aligns with the typical biological timeline for fascial healing. It is used to approximate the anterior rectus sheath with a continuous suturing technique.

  • Polypropylene (Prolene) SutureProcedure or surgery

    Polypropylene (Prolene) is a non-absorbable monofilament suture material used for rectus sheath closure following laparotomy. It provides long-term mechanical support for abdominal wall closure and does not degrade over time. The suture material maintains its tensile strength indefinitely and is known for its high biocompatibility, minimal tissue reaction, and resistance to infection due to its monofilament structure. It is applied using a continuous suturing technique.

Study groups in NCT07280975
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) Suture for Rectus Sheath ClosureExperimentalIn this arm, participants will undergo rectus sheath closure using polyglactin 910 (Vicryl), a synthetic absorbable braided suture. This material is designed to provide temporary wound support during the healing process, with predictable hydrolytic degradation over 56-70 days. The intervention involves continuous suturing of the rectus sheath, with the suture size being 1 (USP). The primary aim is to evaluate postoperative outcomes such as incisional hernia, surgical site infections, wound dehiscence, and chronic pain, using polyglactin sutures for abdominal wall closure.Polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) Suture for Rectus Sheath Closure
Receives: Procedure: Polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) Suture
Polypropylene (Prolene) Suture for Rectus Sheath ClosureActive comparatorIn this arm, participants will undergo rectus sheath closure using polypropylene (Prolene), a non-absorbable monofilament suture. Polypropylene is known for its high tensile strength and biocompatibility, providing long-term mechanical support without being absorbed by the body. The intervention will involve continuous suturing of the rectus sheath, using a size 1 (USP) suture. The main focus will be to assess the incidence of complications such as incisional hernia, surgical site infection, wound dehiscence, and chronic pain following closure with polypropylene sutures.
Receives: Procedure: Polypropylene (Prolene) Suture

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Incisional Hernia rate

    The primary outcome will assess the rate of incisional hernia at 6 months post-surgery in patients who undergo rectus sheath closure with either Polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) or Polypropylene (Prolene) sutures.

    Measured: 6 months postoperatively

Secondary outcomes (4)
  1. Surgical Site Infection (SSI) Rate

    This outcome will measure the occurrence of any surgical site infection (SSI) within 30 days postoperatively.

    Measured: 30 days post-surgery

  2. Suture Sinus Formation

    The occurrence of chronic draining tracts at the incision site, which are associated with the suture material.

    Measured: 6 months post-surgery

  3. Chronic Pain (Visual Analog Scale, VAS ≥4)

    The presence of chronic pain at the surgical site lasting more than 3 months postoperatively, assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), where the VAS is a 10-point scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain). A score of 4 or higher indicates the presence of clinically significant chronic pain.

    Measured: 3 months post-surgery

  4. Wound Dehiscence

    The occurrence of wound dehiscence, defined as partial or complete disruption of the rectus sheath, within 30 days post-surgery.

    Measured: 30 days post-surgery

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted15 Dec 2025
  2. Study start1 Apr 2026 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion30 Jun 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completion30 Jul 2027 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
This is a parallel-group design, where participants are assigned to one of two treatment arms (polyglactin or polypropylene). Both arms will undergo the same procedure but with different suture materials for rectus sheath closure.
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
156 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07280975
Sponsor's protocol ID
563/LRH/MTI
Acronym
PolySuture
Status last verified
Dec 2025
First submitted
28 Nov 2025
Last updated
15 Dec 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: The individual participant data (IPD) that will be shared includes de-identified demographic information, surgical details, treatment outcomes, and relevant follow-up data (e.g., wound healing, incidence of complications, pain scores, and hernia occurrence). This will provide valuable insight into the comparative efficacy of polyglactin versus polypropylene sutures for rectus sheath closure. The data will be available to qualified researchers after the primary results have been published and the study is concluded.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) Suture and Polypropylene (Prolene) Suture in people with Chronic Pain and Wound Dehiscence, run by Lady Reading Hospital, Pakistan at 1 site in Pakistan.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Dec 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Pakistan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Dr. Atta Ullah Arif Associate Professor, MBBS, FCPS (+92 333 9126978, attaullah.arif@Irh.edu.pk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Incisional Hernia rate (time frame: 6 months postoperatively). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 15 Dec 2025; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 27 Oct 2026.

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