Prolene Sutures in Hyperbaric Environment

Have been treating pt in HBO for CRO. Recently hospitalized for cellulitis and was taken to OR by Podiatrist with Bone Bx of 1st, 3rd, and 5th Metatarsal Right Foot. Prolene Sutures 3-0 and 1-0 applied. Some suture material visable in wound bed. Checked FAQs for Wound Reference, UHMS and Johnson & Johnson websites for information on safety of suture material in HBO environment. I called Johnson & Johnson and there are no Safety Data Sheets for the Prolene Sutures as according to J & J it is not required due to the polypropylene suture material that the sutures are constructed of. I have reviewed the NFPA Risk Assessment and the Burman Risk Assessment but without the SDS to know if the "product produces heat", "produces static" or "if it has a low flash point", how do I truly know the risk of the item going into HBO.

Dec 4, 2024 by Barbara Keller, RN, MSN, CWS

1 replies

Jeff Mize
RRT, CHT, UHMSADS

Barb,

Thank you for your question. NFPA 99 14.3.1.6.4.3* States: The physician in charge, with the concurrence of the safety director, shall be permitted to approve the use of the following prohibited items in the chamber:

• (1) Suture material

• (2) Alloplastic devices

• (3) Bacterial barriers

• (4) Surgical dressings

• (5) Biological interfaces

• (6) Synthetic textiles

Are the sutures covered with a dressing? In general, we allow suture material, the concern is typically with the dressing covering the sutures. Essential safety concerns include the production of heat, the production of static electricity, the production of flammable vapor, ignition temperature, and total fuel load.¹

Prolene sutures are a non-absorbable synthetic monofilament structure consisting of a single strand of material, Polypropylene. I have attached the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for Polypropylene. The SDS states that Polypropylene has an Autogenous Ignition Temperature of 735 Fahrenheit.

I would recommend completing a risk assessment utilizing the Go No-Go Tool. Please let me know if we can coordinate a time to walk through the Go No-Go Tool and complete a risk assessment.

References:

National Fire Protection Association. NFPA 99 Chapter 14 "Hyperbaric Facilities" NFPA 99 Health Care Facilities, Edition. 2024.

Have a great day!

Jeff

Dec 5, 2024

* Information provided without clinical evaluation and is not intended as a replacement for in-person consultation with a medical professional. The information provided through Curbside Consult is not a substitute for proper training, experience, and exercising of professional judgment. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the contents, neither the authors nor the Wound Reference, Inc. give any guarantee as to the accuracy of the information contained in them nor accept any liability, with respect to loss, damage, injury or expense arising from any such errors or omissions in the contents of the work.

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