I'm sorry you have had this difficulty, and certainly wound healing problems can lead to understandable retrospective analysis as to where things might have gone wrong. If you were a smoker, then this would be the first and most serious culprit--impaired circulation from nicotine vasoconstriction can lead to wound breakdown, even in cases where the patient is exposed only to second-hand smoke. But let's assume no tobacco or nicotine products are implicated. Suture material choices can have an impact on wound healing as well. Vicryl sutures (made by Ethicon) are made of polyglactin 910, which is a copolymer of 90%glycolide (polyglycolic acid) and 10% L-lactide.These are braided, absorbable sutures that retain 75% of their original strength at 14 days, and 25% at 28 days. Monocryl sutures (also made by Ethicon), monofilament synthetic absorbable surgical sutures prepared from a copolymer of glycolide and epsilon-caprolactone. These monofiliment sutures retain 50-60% of their original tensile strength at one week, and 20-30% at 2 weeks. As you can see, Vicryl not only stays around a bit longer, it's construction is braided vs. monofilament. This is important because skin sutures will unavoidably go right through pores, hair follicles, and sweat glands, all of which contain skin bacteria (yes, even after surgical prep and antibiotics). The interstices within Vicryl braids can indeed provide a "safe harbor" for bacteria, causing tiny pus pockets that many surgeons call "Vicryl reactions." I've written an article on this topic you might wish to read by clicking on the web reference link below. These so-called Vicryl "reactions" are not allergic at all, but simply represent "normal" skin bacteria causing stitch abscesses that can lead to wound breakdown. Once it starts, what you are experiencing can often result. Many patients simply would view this and see "infection," but it really starts with normal skin flora causing these tiny stitch abscesses that lead to eventual wound breakdown. Believe me, this CAN happen with monofilament sutures, but it is much less likely, and why many surgeons, myself included, have switched to all monofilament sutures for skin closure. It's not the "fault" of the suture, since those bacteria are present in the environment where the sutures are placed, and the warm, moist, braids are the perfect place for those bacteria to multiply/ BTW, the usual antibiotics used do not kill these "normal" skin bacteria, only nastier ones that can cause even worse problems. So, yes, I think suture choice can play a role in some of these problems. It's not something every surgeon will agree with, but I simply deal in facts. While suture choice cannot be assumed to be the entire cause of these wound issues, every aspect of every choice and step in the healing process can be examined critically. I think your question is wise, and I would suggest that Vicryl not be used for further surgery on your breasts. That won't guarantee success, but it WILL eliminate one potential negative aspect. Don't be too hard on your surgeon; Vicryl is used by lots of surgeons for lots of skin closures that heal just fine. I just happen to believe that Vicryl "reactions" don't really exist. Click on the web reference link below for more information. Good luck with your healing and best wishes! Dr. Tholen