Which type of suture has the least inflammatory response?

ePTFE sutures, or expanded polytetrafluoroethylene sutures, are designed to have a minimal inflammatory response due to their biocompatibility and inert nature. This synthetic material is non-absorbable and provides excellent tissue compatibility, which significantly reduces the likelihood of eliciting an unwanted inflammatory reaction. As a result, ePTFE sutures are often favored in dental and periodontal surgeries where minimizing inflammation and promoting healing are critical.

In contrast, silk sutures can induce a more pronounced inflammatory response due to their natural material composition, which can provoke a foreign body reaction. Gut sutures, including chromic gut, are absorbable, but they typically lead to some inflammatory response during the absorption process. Chromic gut has a treated surface to delay absorption, which may further induce inflammation compared to non-reactive materials like ePTFE. Hence, ePTFE sutures stand out as the preferable option in scenarios where the least inflammatory response is desired.