%0 Journal Article
%T An evaluation of the usability and durability of 3D printed versus standard suture materials.
%A Nguyen TT
%A Langenfeld JG
%A Reinhart BC
%A Lyden EI
%A Campos AS
%A Wadman MC
%A Jamison MR
%A Morin SA
%A Barksdale AN
%J Wound Repair Regen
%V 32
%N 3
%D 2024 May-Jun 27
%M 38534045
%F 3.401
%R 10.1111/wrr.13175
%X The capability to produce suture material using three-dimensional (3D) printing technology may have applications in remote health facilities where rapid restocking of supplies is not an option. This is a feasibility study evaluating the usability of 3D-printed sutures in the repair of a laceration wound when compared with standard suture material. The 3D-printed suture material was manufactured using a fused deposition modelling 3D printer and nylon 3D printing filament. Study participants were tasked with performing laceration repairs on the pigs' feet, first with 3-0 WeGo nylon suture material, followed by the 3D-printed nylon suture material. Twenty-six participants were enrolled in the study. Survey data demonstrated statistical significance with how well the 3D suture material performed with knot tying, 8.9 versus 7.5 (p = 0.0018). Statistical significance was observed in the 3D-printed suture's ultimate tensile strength when compared to the 3-0 Novafil suture (274.8 vs. 199.8 MPa, p = 0.0096). The 3D-printed suture also demonstrated statistical significance in ultimate extension when compared to commercial 3-0 WeGo nylon suture (49% vs. 37%, p = 0.0215). This study was successful in using 3D printing technology to manufacture suture material and provided insight into its usability when compared to standard suture material.