Development of Antimicrobial AgNPs‐Coated Polydioxanone Sutures Using Low‐Pressure Plasma: Physicochemical Characterization and In Vitro Evaluation

ABSTRACT

This study describes the development and in vitro evaluation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)‐coated monofilament polydioxanone (PDO) sutures with potential applications in pediatric cardiovascular surgery. Medical‐grade PDO sutures were functionalized using a low‐pressure air plasma‐assisted coating process with different AgNPs loadings. SEM‐EDS, FTIR, and XRD analyses confirmed AgNPs deposition while preserving the polymer's semicrystalline structure and filament integrity. DSC and TGA analyses showed slight changes in melting temperature and residual mass without significant impairment of thermal stability. AAS analysis revealed a total silver load of approximately 187.5 µg per 75 cm suture. In vitro release studies showed a controlled release profile, with 59% silver released by day 21. The AgNPs‐coated sutures exhibited concentration‐dependent antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli. MTT assays using L929 fibroblasts showed cell viability above 70%, while hemolysis indices ranged from 0.9% to 1.43%. Overall, the findings demonstrate that low‐pressure plasma‐assisted AgNPs deposition can provide antibacterial activity while maintaining favorable in vitro cytocompatibility and hemocompatibility characteristics of PDO sutures.