SUTURE TYPES

Monofilament

  • Absorbable

    • plain gut (natural)

    • chromic gut (natural)

    • polyglyconate (maxon)

    • polydioxanone (PDS II)

    • monocryl

    Nonabsorbable

    • prolene

    • pronova

    • nylon (ethilon)

    • stainless steel

    • Novafil

Multifilament

  • Absorbable

    • polyglactin (vicryl)

    • polyglycolic acid (dexon)

  • Nonabsorbable

    • surgical silk (natural)

    • surgical cotton (natural)

    • braided nylon (nurolon)

    • polyethylene terephthalate (mersilene)

Tips for Remembering Terms

General Memory Tricks:

  1. Use Acronyms or Mnemonics:

    • Monofilament - Absorbable:

      • "Plain Cats Play Music Perfectly": Plain gut, Chromic gut, Polyglyconate (Maxon), Polydioxanone (PDS II), Monocryl.

    • Monofilament - Nonabsorbable:

      • "Proud People Need Strong Needles": Prolene, Pronova, Nylon, Stainless steel, Novafil.

    • Multifilament - Absorbable:

      • "Pretty Patterns" (Vicryl, Dexon).

    • Multifilament - Nonabsorbable:

      • "Silky Cotton Braids Polyester": Surgical silk, Surgical cotton, Braided nylon (Nurolon), Polyethylene terephthalate (Mersilene).