Surgical Technology Suture Types

Plain Gut

monofilament absorbable

uses: superficial hemostasis, tissue with rapid healing time, ligate small vessels, approximate sublayer

Chromic Gut

monofilament absorbable

uses: internal ligation, may be used on peritoneum and fascia and infected or contaminated areas. urinary and biliary tracts

Polyglyconate/ Maxon

monofilament absorbable

general soft tissue approximation. pediatric cardiovascular tissue, peripheral vascular tissue

Polydioxanone/ PDS II

monofilament absorbable

tissue that requires long-term tensile strength, fascia. surgery on geriatric patients. smaller sizes used in ophthalmic tissue

Polyglicaprone 25/ Monocryl

monofilament absorbable

general soft tissue approximation and or ligation. subcuticular closure. gynecologic urologic and plastic surgery

Monofilament Absorbable Sutures

Plain gut, Chromic Gut, Polyglyconate/Maxon, Polydioxanone/PDS II, Polyglicaprone 25/Monocryl

Monofilament NonAbsorbable Sutures

Polypropylene/Prolene, Pronova, Nylon/Ethilon, Stainless Steel, Polybutester/Novafil

Polypropylene/Prolene

monofilament nonabsorbable

uses: tissue that requires long-term tensile strength. cardiovascular and plastic. continuous abdominal fascia closure. retention sutures procedures.suture of choice for vascular anastomosis

Pronova

monofilament nonabsorbable

uses: general soft tissue approximation including cardiovascular, neurological, and ophthalmic.

Nylon/Ethilon

monofilament nonabsorbable

uses: skin closure, retention sutures, small sizes are used for microsurgery and ophthalmic

Stainless Steel

monofilament nonabsorbable

uses: abdominal wound closure, hernia repair, sternal closure,

tendon repair, bone repair. retention sutures, respiratory tract

Polybutester/Novafil

monofilament nonabsorbable

uses: tissue that requires long term tensile strength, running subcuticular closure, blood vessel anastomosis

Multifilament Absorbable Sutures

Polyglactin 910/Vicryl, Polyglycolic Acid/Dexon,

Polyglactin 910/ Vicryl

multifilament absorbable

uses: tissue that requires long term tensile strength and absorbable suture is desired.general soft tissue approximation and or ligation of skin and mucosa.

Polyglycolic Acid/ Dexon

mutifilament absorbable

uses: tissue that requires long term tensile strength but absorbable suture desired for the stomach and vascular procedures.

Multifilament NonAbsorbable Sutures

Surgical Silk, Surgical Cotton, Braided Nylon/Nurolon, Polyethylene terephthalate/Mersilene,

Polyethylene Terephthalate coated with Polybutilate/Ethibond

Surgical Silk

multifilament nonabsorbable

uses: serosa of GI tract and fascia in absence of infection. frequently used for suture ligatures

Braided Nylon/ Nurolon

multifilament nonabsorbable

uses: neurosurgical closures

Polyethylene terephthalate/ Mersilene

multifilament nonabsorbable

uses: general soft tissue approximation. respiratory tract, cardiovascular

Polyethylene Terephthalate coated with Polybutilate/Ethibond

multifilament nonabsorbable

uses: commonly used to close incisions of the heart, tendon repair