PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

In the ranking of suture types from highest to lowest inflammatory reaction, which is the correct order?

1. Nylon, Silk, Chromic gut

2. Silk, Chromic gut, Nylon

3. Chromic gut, Silk, Nylon

4. Silk, Nylon, Chromic gut

The correct answer is: Silk, Chromic gut, Nylon

In assessing the inflammatory reaction of different suture materials, silk is known to elicit a higher inflammatory response compared to nylon and chromic gut. Silk is a natural fiber and can provoke a significant inflammatory response due to its structure and the body's reaction to foreign materials. Chromic gut, which is derived from animal intestines, is treated to prolong its absorption time but still incurs a moderate inflammatory response. It has an intermediate reaction compared to silk and nylon. Nylon, being a synthetic material, typically causes the least inflammatory reaction of the three. Its biocompatibility is generally favorable, leading to a reduced inflammatory response, which is important in surgical settings where minimizing inflammation can promote healing. Thus, the correct order from highest to lowest inflammatory reaction is silk, followed by chromic gut, and finally nylon. Understanding this hierarchy is crucial for surgeons when selecting suture types to balance tissue healing with the body's inflammatory response.