Suture

Catgut

Gone within 2-3weeks (absorbable)

Faster breakdown during infection

Fast proteolysis - dont use in intestine and bladder

Dexon (polyglycolic acid)

Multifilament(absorbable)

absorbed completely 60-90 days

minimal breakdown during first 2 weeks, 50% strength 2-3weeks

Monocryl (poliglecaprone 25)

Monofilament (absorbable)

Stronger than PDS, vicryl and gut intiall

50% strength 1 wk, 20-30% strength 2 weeks

Absorbed 90-120 days

General soft tissue, vessel ligation

Vicryl (proglactin 910)

Multifilament (absorbable)

absorbed 60-70 days

General soft tissue, vessel ligation (not for bowel or skin)

Caprosyn (Polyglytone 6211)

Monofilament (Absorbable)

Loses all tensile strength 2-3 wks

Complete absorption 56 days

PDS II (polydioxanone)

Monofilament (absorbable)

50% strength 5-6wks

complete absorption 180 days

Slow healing tissues (fascial closure) useful in compromised patients

Maxon (polyglyconate)

Monofilament (absorbable)

Better memory than PDS II, better knot strength

Appx 50% strength 4-5wks

Complete absorption in 180 days

Biosyn (Glycomer 631)

Monofilament (absorbable)

Appx 50% strength 2-3wks

Absorbed in 90-110

Nylon (Ex. ethilon)

Monofilament (non-absorbable)

gradually loses strength, elastic for swelling

Common for skin closure

Polypropylene (prolene)

Monofilament (non-absorbable)

Biologically inert

Strength up to 2 years

tendon, ligament, joint capsule or fascial closures requiring prolonged strength

Skin closure, cardiac sx, herniorrhaphy

Silk

Multifilament (non-absorbable)

degrades in 2years, loss of strength 12 wks

High reactivity in tissue

ligation of vessels (largely replaced by synthetics)

Polybutester (novafil)

Monofilament(non-absorbable)

high elasticity

Polymerized caprolactum (vetafil, supramid)

multifilament (non-absorbable)

only use in skin (avoid sinus formation risk)

relatively strong, decent knot security, fair handling

bovine skin closure and pexies

Monofilament

single strand

less drag

poor handling, poor knot security (stiffness and memory)

less pliable more susceptible to damage

Multifilament

Multiple braided strangs

greater strength and pliability

more friction/drag

easier to handle more pliable less slippery

Increased colonization tendency

avoid contaminated wounds where bacterial wicking is a problem

Vessel ligation

Absorbable multi or mon

Vicryl, gut or monocryl

Skin

non-absorbable mono

Prolene, nylon, steel, supramid

Sometimes moncryl

Sub Q tissues

Absorbable mono or multi

Vicryl, monocryl

Fascia in healthy animal

Absorbable multi or mono

Vicryl, PDS

Fascia in compromised animal

Nonabsorbable or long lasting absorbable

Prolene, PDS

Skeletal muscle

Absorbable mono or multi

Vicryl or monocryl

Cardiac muscle

Non-absorbable

Prolene

Tendon

Non-absorbable mono

Steel, prolene, nylon