Objective:

To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs comparing the effect of triclosan-coated and uncoated sutures on the incidence of surgical site infections (SSI), highlighting the clinical significance of the findings.

Key Findings:

• Triclosan-coated sutures showed a statistically significant reduction in SSI compared to uncoated sutures in certain studies, particularly in specific surgical contexts.
• The effectiveness of triclosan-coated sutures varied between different types of sutures (polydioxanone vs polyglactin 910), indicating the need for tailored surgical practices.
• Higher SSI rates were observed in low- and middle-income countries compared to high-income countries, suggesting socioeconomic factors influence surgical outcomes.

Interpretation:

The use of triclosan-coated sutures may reduce the incidence of SSIs in abdominal surgery, but results are influenced by the type of suture and the economic context of the surgical setting, which should be considered in clinical decision-making.

Limitations:

• Insufficient data led to the non-recommendation of triclosan-coated sutures by major surgical societies, highlighting the need for more robust evidence.
• Potential biases in included studies and the exclusion of studies with high risk of bias may affect the results, necessitating cautious interpretation of the findings.

Conclusion:

Triclosan-coated sutures may be beneficial in reducing SSIs in abdominal surgery, but further high-quality studies are needed to confirm these findings and address safety concerns, emphasizing the importance of ongoing research.