Pacemaker pocket infection rate and suture technique

OBJECTIVE
The incidence of cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infection is usually <2%. The interrupted suture technique is thought to be better than a continuous suture in order to prevent pacemaker pocket infection. The aim of this study was to determine if there was a correlation between the suture techniques and the pacemaker wound infection rate.

METHODS
The data of 2200 patients from the 5-year period of 2011 to 2016 were studied. There were 1096 patients in the study group and 1104 patients in the control group. Continuous sutures were used in the study group and interrupted sutures were used in the control group.

RESULTS
Pacemaker pocket infection occurred in 33 patients (1.5%). Seventeen patients in the study group and 16 patients in the control group developed a pacemaker pocket infection. A pacemaker pocket hematoma was seen in 54 patients in the study group (4.9%) and 50 patients in the control group (4.5%).

CONCLUSION
Use of the continuous or interrupted suture technique for wound closure had no significant role in the prevention of pacemaker pocket infection.