Absorbable Versus Nonabsorbable Sutures for the Treatment of Knee Arthroscopy: A Prospective Comparison of Patient Outcomes and Satisfaction

For a knee arthroscopy, two small incisions are made at the level of the joint line on each side of the patellar tendon. Closure of surgical incisions consists of using either nonabsorbable or absorbable sutures. Some surgeons prefer using nonabsorbable sutures due to it being easier to tie, these sutures are less likely to break prematurely, and that they elicit a minimal inflammatory response. On the other hand, some surgeons prefer using absorbable sutures due to the time savings of not having to remove the sutures at a later date and that these sutures decrease patient anxiety and discomfort. The purpose of this study is to prospectively investigate and compare patient's pain, swelling and cosmesis following knee arthroscopy surgery between patients who had their arthroscopy portals closed using resorbable sutures vs. patients who had their portals closed using nonabsorbable sutures.