To date, extensive studies have been conducted to assess diverse types of sutures. But there is a paucity of data regarding biomechanical properties of commonly used suture materials. In the current experiment, we compared biomechanical properties and biocompatibility, such as tensile strength and elongation, the degree of bovine serum albumin (BSA) release, in vitro cytotoxicity and ex vivo frictional properties, between a non-absorbable elastic thread (NAT; HansBiomed Co. Ltd., Seoul, Korea) (NAT-R: NAT with a rough surface, NAT-S: NAT with a smooth surface) and the Elasticum^® (Korpo SRL, Genova, Italy). The degree of tensile strength and elongation of Si threads was significantly higher in both the NAT-R and -S as compared with the Elasticum^® (p < 0.05). Moreover, the degree of tensile strength and elongation of PET threads was significantly lower in both NAT-R and -S as compared with the Elasticum^® (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the degree of tensile strength and elongation of braided Si/PET threads was significantly lower in NAT-S as compared with NAT-R and Elasticum^® (p < 0.05). The degree of BSA release was significantly higher in the NAT-R as compared with Elasticum^® and NAT-S throughout a 2-h period in the descending order (p < 0.05). The degree of cell viability was significantly higher in both NAT-R and -S as compared with Elasticum^® (p < 0.05). The degree of coefficient of friction as well as the frictional force and strength was significantly higher in NAT-R as compared with NAT-S and Elasticum^® (p < 0.05). NAT had a higher degree of biomechanical properties and biocompatibility as compared with Elasticum^®. But further experimental and clinical studies are warranted to compare the efficacy, safety, and potential role as a carrier for drug delivery between NAT and Elasticum^®.

In the past, acellular dermal matrices (ADMs) have been used in implant-based breast reconstruction. Various factors affect the clinical performance of ADMs since there is a lack of systematic characterization of ADM tissues. This study used BellaCell HD and compared it to two commercially available ADMs—AlloDerm Ready to Use (RTU) and DermACELL—under in vitro settings. Every ADM was characterized to examine compatibility through cell cytotoxicity, proliferation, and physical features like tensile strength, stiffness, and the suture tensile strength. The BellaCell HD displayed complete decellularization in comparison with the other two ADMs. Several fibroblasts grew in the BellaCell HD with no cytotoxicity. The proliferation level of fibroblasts in the BellaCell HD was higher, compared to the AlloDerm RTU and DermACELL, after 7 and 14 days. The BellaCell HD had a load value of 444.94 N, 22.44 tensile strength, and 118.41% elongation ratio, and they were higher than in the other two ADMs. There was no significant discrepancy in the findings of stiffness evaluation and suture retention strength test. The study had some limitations because there were many other more factors useful in ADM’s testing. In the study, BellaCell HD showed complete decellularization, high biocompatibility, low cytotoxicity, high tensile strength, high elongation, and high suture retention strengths. These characteristics make BellaCell HD a suitable tissue for adequate and safe use in implant-based breast reconstruction in humans.