*2.1. Literature Review*

### 2.1.1. Criteria for Considering Studies for Literature Review

Types of studies: Meta-analyses including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), RCTs not included in the meta-analyses, and systematic reviews with the target intervention (TCS) in one arm and in abdominal surgery were included. The endpoints included measures of TCS e fficacy on SSI. Meta-analyses not including abdominal procedures or not performing a sub-analysis for abdominal procedures were excluded.

Types of participants: The review included adult patients undergoing abdominal surgery where TCS was considered to be an option to approximate any of the soft tissue layer of the surgical wound.

Types of interventions: The target intervention was the use of TCS to approximate any soft tissue layer(s) in abdominal procedures. The comparator intervention was the use of CS.

Types of outcome measures: Outcomes had to be quantitative and reported either on an intention-to-treat or per protocol basis in the respective studies. Compilations and comments were excluded. The primary endpoint was defined as overall SSI rates. SSI was defined according to the CDC criteria [1].

### 2.1.2. Search Methods for Identification of Studies

The electronic databases PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, Ovid, Institute for Scientific Information Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Cochrane Library database (CENTRAL, CDRS, NHSEED and HTA) were searched from January 1990 to June 2019.

The search strategy used the following syntax: (plus OR antimicrobial OR triclosan) AND (abdominal OR intestinal OR bowel OR gastrointestinal) AND (suture OR sutures) AND ([literature AND review] OR meta-analysis OR meta-analysis OR [meta AND analysis]) AND (infection) AND "humans" [MeSH Terms]. No geographic limits were applied, and only articles in English were considered.

The reference list for each literature review was examined for missing studies within the scope of this review.
