Ethicon said today that its triclosan-coated suture was included in the new “Global Guidelines for the Prevention of Surgical Site Infections (SSI)” by the World Health Organization. The guidelines are the 1st global guidelines for preventing surgical site infections.

“The panel suggests the use of triclosan-coated sutures for the purpose of reducing the risk of surgical site infection (SSI), independent of the type of surgery,” the organization wrote in its guideline.

Bacterial colonization of a suture is a key risk factor for infection following surgery. The Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) subsidiary touted its antibacterial coated sutures as the only available products coated with triclosan that can inhibit colonization by bacteria such as S. aureus, S. epidermidis, MRSA, MRSE, E. coli and K. pneumonia. Studies have shown that Ethicon Plus Sutures can inhibit bacterial colonization of the suture in vitro for 7 days or more.

“Ethicon has more than 60 years of experience in surgical sutures, and the new guidelines from WHO supports our Ethicon Plus Sutures portfolio and further reinforces our decade-long commitment to helping surgeons and their institutions address the overwhelming burden of healthcare associated infections,” franchise medical director Liza Ovington said in prepared remarks. “Ethicon is committed to shaping the future of surgery by helping address the world’s most pressing health care issues to improve and save more lives.”

“Several independent studies have found that triclosan-coated sutures reduce the risk of SSI across many types of surgery,” Professor David Leaper of the University of Huddersfield added. “Taken together with other evidence-based interventions, Ethicon Plus Sutures may help reduce hospital costs associated with infections, including longer length of stay or readmission.”